The LA Dodgers might have just scraped out a win to kick off their seven-game homestand on Monday, but let’s be real, that one victory feels like a tiny patch on a massive problem. We’re talking about eight losses in nine games *before* Monday, and a team-wide slump that’s been dragging on for a painful six weeks. This isn’t just a rough patch; it’s a full-blown malaise, and it’s got manager Dave Roberts steaming.
Teams Know The Dodgers Can’t Handle Heat
Turns out, opposing pitching staffs have found a glaring weakness, and they’re hammering it. Since July 1, no team in baseball has seen a higher percentage of fastballs than the Dodgers, who’ve faced a ridiculous 58.7 percent of them. And how are they responding to all that heat? Not well, not well at all. In that same span, their OPS against fastballs is a dismal .693, with their .310 on-base percentage ranking fourth-worst and their .383 slugging percentage coming in fifth-worst in the league. That’s a brutal combo.
Manager Dave Roberts didn’t mince words about it. “It never feels good to be bullied,” he said Monday. Bullied! That’s a strong word, but when teams are attacking you more than anyone else with a specific pitch because they know you can’t hit it, what else do you call it? Roberts is bothered by it, and he’s challenging his guys to “look in your zone and get the bat head to it.” He gets that they’ve scored runs, a lot of them actually, sitting fourth in baseball. But as he pointed out, that doesn’t tell the whole story. The real story, he says, is about hitting the fastball, making adjustments, and being “the best version of ourselves.” He hopes they take it personally.
Can They Fix This Hole in Their Swing?
Even on Monday, when they broke their slump, the Royals’ pitchers, including Noah Cameron, eased up on the fastball, throwing only 23 four-seamers all game. It’s almost like they decided to give them a break. Yet, even with that, Max Muncy’s clutch three-run double in the sixth inning? Off a fastball. Shohei Ohtani’s single in the seventh that set up the winning run? Also off a fastball. It shows they *can* hit them, but the consistency and ability to withstand the barrage just isn’t there when teams are pouring it on.
Amidst all this major league fastball drama, there’s a sliver of hope brewing in the minor leagues. Outfielder Charles Davalan is absolutely thriving this season, rocketing up prospect lists. Dodgers director of player development Will Rhymes highlighted Davalan’s advanced understanding of himself as a hitter, even before he reaches the big show. Maybe he’s the guy who knows how to attack that fastball when he gets his shot. For now, though, the problem is right here, right now, for the big club.
Look, the talent is obviously there for this team. Roberts knows it, and he’s calling them out. This isn’t just about winning a single game; it’s about whether they can fix a fundamental flaw that teams have been exploiting for well over a month. Can they make the adjustments Roberts is pushing for and finally start swinging back?
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.
Leave a Reply