The Los Angeles Dodgers reached arguably the lowest point of their season after stranding 13 baserunners in their extra-inning loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday.
The team blew multiple three-run leads and went just 1-for-18 with runners in scoring position, which has been a weakness over the past two months. That was followed by a similar effort on Thursday, but the Dodgers avoided being swept thanks to Teoscar Hernández’s walk-off, two-run double.
Despite the Dodgers trending in the wrong direction for the better part of six weeks, manager Dave Roberts is not ready to hit the panic button and believes the team’s veteran players can help them get back on track.
“I think they’re going to be pivotal,” Roberts said of the Dodgers’ leaders. “I think that experience is important. Managing big moments, I think our guys do a very good job of that. … So we’re certainly counting on that experience to show itself down the stretch.”
While some have pointed to the Dodgers’ older roster as a potential drawback, there’s no denying that their collective experience can give them an advantage.
Freddie Freeman has seen just about everything in his 17 big league seasons and remains confident the Dodgers can overcome any obstacle thrown their way.
“We’ve been through everything. We’ve seen everything,” Freeman said after the team’s loss to the Cardinals on Wednesday. “Had our backs against the wall and had to win games when we needed to. It’s a very resilient group, and you’re starting to see some life out of the offense, so I think good things are ahead.”
Dave Roberts sets postseason goal for Dodgers
The Dodgers repeated as World Series champions last year despite their offense never reaching its full potential.
Aside from their offensive outburst against the Cincinnati Reds in the 2025 National League Wild Card Series, the Dodgers batted just .213 over the final three rounds of the postseason. They hit just .203 against the Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series but were able to hold them off largely due to the contributions of their pitching staff.
Roberts recently said that he wants the team to flip the script this postseason and have its offense carry more of the load in October.
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