Watching the Los Angeles Dodgers compete against division-rival Arizona in the 2023 opening series at home seemed almost like a nutshell of their past few entire seasons — the team simply could not produce offensively when it needed it most.
Although Los Angeles showed off their muscles offensively in Games 1 and 3 by scoring a combined 18 runs, the team only managed to put up a total of two runs in Games 2 and 4, spoiling spectacular season debuts by starting pitchers Dustin May and Noah Syndergaard.
While fans could certainly argue that the bullpen was the culprit in both losses — specifically Alex Vesia and Brusdar Graterol — the club simply did not produce enough runs to bring home either win.
Even though the Dodgers outscored the Diamondbacks 20-7 in the series, the old nightmares of producing with runners in scoring position crept in already during the young season, as the club left a combined 33 runners on base Friday and Sunday. Obviously, the entire season remains to be played, but the memories stung for many die-hard fans viewing the series. The split was especially disappointing because it came against a team they should have handled easily.
Syndergaard threw well in Sunday’s 2-1 loss, completing six full innings of work on 78 pitches and surrendering one earned run on four hits with six punchouts. Caleb Fergusson and Evan Phillips held the Diamondbacks at bay in the seventh and eighth innings, but Graterol allowed four hits, with the clincher coming on a drag bunt by Jake McCarthy, allowing Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to score the go-ahead run for Arizona.
The lone Los Angeles run on Sunday came off the bat of catcher will Smith in the bottom of the first inning with a 347-foot solo shot down the left field line.
Despite the disappointing series, there were certainly several bright spots, including Trayce Thompson’s fireworks exhibition on Saturday night coupled with Clayton Kershaw’s sensational season debut.
Thompson went 3-for-4 with three long balls and eight RBI in Saturday’s 10-1 win, prompting skipper Dave Roberts to keep him in the lineup Sunday while shifting Mookie Betts to second base.
Kershaw looked very sharp and efficient, throwing six complete innings and allowing one earned run on four hits while striking out nine and walking none.
Next up for the Dodgers is a quick two-game series against the Rockies at home before heading out to Arizona for a four-game rematch against the Diamondbacks. Scheduled to pitch against Colorado are righty Michael Grove on Monday and lefty Julio Urias on Tuesday.