The Dodgers just got absolutely gutted on Friday night, blowing a one-run lead against the Diamondbacks straight into a stunning walk-off loss. Edwin Díaz, after getting off the injured list, saw his slider crushed for a two-run walk-off homer in the ninth inning. This one stung, marking the Dodgers’ seventh straight loss and leaving manager Dave Roberts scrambling for answers about his reliever.
The Search for Díaz’s Slider Continues
Roberts was blunt about Díaz’s self-assessment: “I think that’s about right.” He noted the fastball had good life and command was improving, which is something, right? But the slider, man, that’s the issue. Roberts flat out said the pitch “just isn’t having much effect” and that Díaz “hasn’t had the feel for that pitch since he got back.” When he left one “close to Waldschmidt,” it was lights out. You need that swing-and-miss stuff, and right now, the slider isn’t delivering, with Díaz having allowed four runs in three innings across four appearances, including a homer in each of his last two games. That’s a brutal trend.
Dodgers Rolling the Dice on Skubal, Snell Returns
Meanwhile, there’s chatter around the Dodgers’ trade for Tarik Skubal. Jarrett Seidler at Baseball Prospectus dug into industry objections, finding kernels of truth in them all. He figures the Dodgers “overpaid” compared to similar trades, but they moved players they “were unlikely to ever find room” for anyway. So, maybe it’s a win-win if Skubal performs. He’s slated to make his first start at Dodger Stadium on Monday against the Kansas City Royals. Plus, Blake Snell is coming off the injured list to start on Saturday, which is some welcome news for a rotation that needs a jolt.
So, the Dodgers are staring down Monday with a new arm in Skubal, hoping he can give them a spark and snap that losing streak. And with Snell coming back Saturday, they’ve gotta get things right. Seven losses in a row is tough for any team, no matter who you are.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by True Blue LA.
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