The Dodgers’ rough August didn’t just dent the standings. It left them with a September checklist that’s a lot longer than usual.
Los Angeles went 23-24 since the Fourth of July, then followed that with its first losing August in 16 years. The bat line tells the same story: a .241 average for the month, which made it the club’s first losing August at that level in 42 years. That kind of slide doesn’t erase the Dodgers’ standing as the favorite to win the World Series - their rotation and their track record still carry that weight - but it does put more pressure on the final 25 games.
And there’s a real danger in how this could break. If the Dodgers are not careful, they could find themselves in a wild card series with the Padres, whose bullpen makes them a dangerous short-series opponent and who are nothing like the 83-win Reds Los Angeles handled easily in the first round last year.
The first item on the list is Shohei Ohtani. The Dodgers have paused his return to pitching, and while there’s still enough time to squeeze in four starts before October, the red flags from his abbreviated bullpen session point toward a wait-and-see approach.
The bigger priority is getting Ohtani right as a hitter, because the lineup needs his power more than ever. His average exit velocity has dropped for a second straight month and sits at 91.7 mph, his lowest monthly mark in four years.
The pitching depth chart has its own issues. Edwin Diaz does not look like the answer until he sorts out his mechanical problems.
Roki Sasaki is dealing with a blister issue. Tanner Scott is now backing away from his fastball more often after the pitch has produced the highest average allowed in seven years, .253.
That leaves the Dodgers’ lineup needing more from the back end, because it simply doesn’t have enough thump. Will Smith remains a premier defender, a strong game caller and a clutch hitter. Beyond that, the margin gets thinner.
Mookie Betts is another piece the Dodgers still lean on heavily, even if his offensive profile has changed. He deserves plenty of credit for turning himself into a premier defender. His footwork and range have allowed him to hold up at shortstop without an elite arm, and he remains one of the game’s best playmakers when the game gets tight and there’s a relay, a double play or a run to drive in.
But middle infielders age fast, and Betts is part of that trend. He’s 33, and not a single qualified shortstop over 30 has an OPS+ of 100 or better this season. A hitter with some of the quickest hands in the sport is no longer getting to velocity the way he used to.
The Dodgers also miss Betts’ defense and his ability to handle non-fastballs in important spots. He’s hitting .333 against spin and off-speed pitches with runners in scoring position, which is exactly the sort of skill that matters now.
There are also questions further down the roster. Los Angeles acquired Alek Thomas and sent him to two different hitting labs in an effort to get him going.
It hasn’t taken. Even with a slightly higher leg kick, he still has the same crossfire stride with drift, and that leaves him vulnerable to spin.
He’s hitting .146 this year against it.
That’s why the Dodgers need something more than just a clean finish to the month. They need a statement series.
In Other News...
Dodgers Roster Shakeup Just Squeezed Out One Veteran Role Player
The Dodgers got a wave of reinforcements back on the active roster, activating catchers Will Smith and Dalton Rushing along with left-hander Justin Wrobleski from the injured list. To clear space, the club also recalled infielder Alex Freeland from Triple-A, while outfielder Alek Thomas was optioned back to Triple-A and top prospect James Tibbs III stayed put for now.
The biggest roster casualty in the shuffle was Ben Rortvedt, who was designated for assignment to make room. For a Dodgers team constantly balancing health, depth and development, the move underscores how crowded the catching picture has become, and how quickly a veteran role player can be the odd man out when the injured list starts to empty. [Read more 🡒]
Dodgers Chose Caution With A September Call-Up Fans Wanted More From
The Dodgers had a fresh roster spot to work with and plenty of outside noise about which young bat should get the nod, but they went with infielder Alex Freeland instead of making the splashier move some fans were hoping for. Dave Roberts had hinted at adding a left-handed bat, and the conversation quickly turned toward top prospects such as James Tibbs III and Josue De Paula, both of whom would have brought more intrigue to the call-up picture.
Instead, Los Angeles stayed on the conservative path, a choice that fits the clubs usual September balancing act between present needs and long-term caution. Freelands recent Triple-A work has been more modest, while Tibbs has been turning in better results, but the Dodgers seem in no rush to force the issue, and the move could also keep more outfield options open for Tommy Edman as the roster shuffle continues. [Read more 🡒]
Dodgers Catching Shakeup Begins As Will Smith Finally Returns
Will Smith is back on the active roster, and the Dodgers did more than simply plug him back into the lineup. Los Angeles activated Smith along with Dalton Rushing and Justin Wrobleski, while also recalling infielder Alex Freeland from Triple-A Oklahoma City and optioning center fielder Alek Thomas as the club shuffled its roster heading into the next stretch of the season.
The bigger catching move came with Ben Rortvedt being designated for assignment to make room for Smith after his stay on the 60-day injured list because of neck inflammation. For the Dodgers, Smiths return restores a familiar presence behind the plate, but the roster squeeze around him hints that the catching situation may still be in flux as the club sorts out how to balance health, depth, and day-to-day playing time. [Read more 🡒]