The Los Angeles Dodgers almost had gotten it all back together. They won five straight games, including sweeping the Pittsburgh Pirates at home and taking the first two in Milwaukee before losing in very unappealing fashion the last two games.
Jack Flaherty struggled for the first time in his Dodgers career, allowing three runs in the first inning Thursday. The Dodgers battled back to tie 3-3, even going ahead 4-3, but in the end the bullpen once again failed. This outing was Daniel Hudson, who allowed another three runs in 0.2 innings.
This was on the heels of a tough outing by Walker Buehler on Wednesday, in which he made his second return to the team. He only lasted 3.1 innings, putting pressure on the bullpen again. The offense scored three runs in the first and then went back to sleep, before plating one more run in the seventh, but ultimately losing 5-4.
Now the Dodgers are in St Louis to take on the Cardinals, who currently sit at 60-61. The Dodgers took three-of-four from the Cardinals at home at the beginning of the season.
With Mookie Betts rejoining the team on Monday, the team started to look offensively like Dodger fans had been hoping in Spring Training. Only Mookie could not do any rehab and pick up right where he left off, several months prior.
But more good news is on the way. Tommy Edman and Max Muncy will be entering the lineup, Monday and Tuesday respectively.
When Edman joins, it will be for the first time as a Los Angeles Dodger, after he was acquired at the trade deadline. He had been out all season with two issues. Edman should be primarily playing second base and centerfield.
Muncy will be returning from an oblique injury, and many fans thought he might not return at all this season. He will resume his spot at third, a position that has been a revolving door of defense. Kiké Hernández lately has been doing most of the work at the hot corner, and has been doing pretty well.
Muncy especially will add more length and power to the lineup which has struggled once it’s gotten past the top four. He will rehab through the weekend, have Monday off, and rejoin the lineup on Tuesday.
Justin Wrobleski will start Friday night for the Dodgers, followed by Tyler Glasnow on Saturday, and Clayton Kershaw on Sunday. The Dodgers are hoping for more innings out of their starters, as the aforementioned bullpen is tried.
Bobby Miller was pulled from his start at Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday night, to join the taxi squad in case the Dodgers need to use him in some capacity.
Hopefully the Dodgers will rebound in the offense department, as the lead in the NL West has dwindled to two games, over both the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks. The Padres are playing in Colorado, and the Diamondbacks are in Tampa Bay, seemingly easy series for both teams to take. This division will probably be in play for the rest of the season, stay tuned.