Dodgers Interview: Doc tries to fathom struggles against Mets pitching
“It calls for an adjustment on our part.”
LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers fell flat against the Mets on Wednesday night, dropping the series opener 6–1 at Chavez Ravine and continuing a troubling trend of offensive struggles against New York. It’s the fifth time this season the Dodgers have faced the Mets—and once again, the bats were largely silent.
Manager Dave Roberts didn’t mince words when assessing the performance. “If you look back at the two series that we played against these guys, they’re pitching us really well,” he said postgame. “Execution, sequencing… we’re one step behind as far as anticipating what they’re going to do.”
The numbers back him up. The Dodgers managed just one run on seven hits and went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position. Mets starter Griffin Canning held L.A. to no runs over six innings, and the bullpen slammed the door behind him, allowing only a lone run in the ninth when the game was out of reach.
Roberts credited the Mets’ game plan and their execution. “When we do get opportunities with mistakes in the hitting zone, we’re not cashing in,” he said. “You’ve got to give those guys credit.”
He pointed specifically to how the Mets have kept the Dodgers’ power threats off balance. “There’s no secret most of our guys are on the fastball, but if you have the ability to strike with secondary pitches in hitter’s counts, it makes it a little more tough,” Roberts explained. “That calls for adjustment on our part.”
Shohei Ohtani, who went hitless in three at-bats with a walk, was another target of the Mets’ careful pitch design. “They’re just really not throwing fastballs in the hitting zone to be honest with you,” Roberts said. “If something is in the strike zone, it’s spin or changeup, and they’re changing locations… they’re not repeating a lot.”
Tony Gonsolin, making his return to the rotation this season, allowed four runs (three earned) over five innings. He gave up three runs early, including the first Pete Alonso homer, but then settled in. “I thought after that first inning, Tony recovered and pitched well and kept us in the ballgame,” Roberts said. “We were in there until we weren’t.”
The loss highlighted ongoing struggles for veteran Michael Conforto, who went 0-for-3 and is now hitting .165 on the season. His numbers with runners in scoring position have been particularly disappointing. Roberts said he believes Conforto is caught between approaches. “At times I think he is trying to do too much, and then conversely at times he’s a little too passive,” Roberts said. “We just have to find that middle ground and that confidence.”
Roberts said he’ll continue showing trust in Conforto by giving him regular at-bats. “Even today I thought he had a really good second at-bat—lined it to [Brandon] Nimmo. A good at-bat, but not rewarded.”
As for Freddie Freeman, he’ll get Thursday’s series finale off to rest. “He’s fine,” Roberts said. “Just in this stretch, I’m going to give him a day—day game after a night game. He’s grinding and playing essentially every day.”
Roberts also confirmed that Tommy Edman is improving from his recent soreness and will be back in the lineup soon.
The Dodgers will try to avoid a sweep Thursday afternoon behind Landon Knack. They’ll face David Peterson, who pitched well against them earlier this season.
If the Dodgers hope to flip the script on the Mets, they’ll need more than just solid pitching—they’ll need to start making those rare mistakes count. As Roberts noted, “It calls for an adjustment on our part.”
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