Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES — It may have been Shohei Ohtani’s walk-off homer that stole the headlines, but the first real jolt of life in the Dodgers’ latest comeback win came off the bat of second baseman Tommy Edman. Down 5-0 early, floundering through what manager Dave Roberts called their “worst game so far,” the Dodgers needed a spark. Edman delivered it with a two-run shot that changed everything.
And in classic Dodgers fashion, once the door cracked open, the entire team stormed through.
A Swing in Progress Pays Off
For Edman, the home run wasn’t just a flash of power—it was a payoff. He’s been working relentlessly behind the scenes to make his left-handed swing more connected, more consistent, and, as we saw, more dangerous.
“I feel like when I fall off left-handed, it’s because I’m drifting forward and losing power,” Edman explained after the game. “Now I’m just doing a better job staying strong in my backside and staying connected.”
It’s that focus on mechanics—using his lower half more effectively, generating whip from the ground up—that’s helped unlock more pop in his bat. It’s early in the season, but the results are real, and for Edman, that work showing up in big moments is deeply satisfying.
Shohei Being Shohei
Of course, no Dodgers game recap is complete without a mention of Shohei Ohtani. On his own bobblehead night—because of course—he launched a walk-off homer that felt almost inevitable. “I don’t think anybody didn’t expect him to hit a walk-off home run there,” Edman laughed. “It was just a question of where he’d hit it.”
That’s the level of belief surrounding Ohtani right now—not just from fans, but from teammates, too.
Talent Meets Experience
Asked about what makes this Dodgers team different, Edman acknowledged the obvious: yes, the talent is off the charts. But that’s not all.
“What makes this team special is that guys have the experience and have been in those moments,” he said. “We know what it takes. It’s not just relying on talent—everybody knows how to win ballgames.”
That’s been a theme through the first eight games. The Dodgers are now 8-0, and six of those wins have come in comeback fashion. It’s not luck—it’s execution. “We don’t change the quality of our at-bats based on the score,” Edman said. “We take it one at-bat at a time. No one tries to hit a five-run homer. We trust the lineup to build something.”
Confidence Without Arrogance
When asked about the team’s early dominance—and whether they feel like they should win every game—Edman didn’t flinch. “Absolutely,” he said. “We know we’re capable of winning any game, no matter the score.”
But it’s not bravado—it’s calm, quiet confidence rooted in preparation, veteran presence, and a commitment to the process. This team doesn’t panic. They just keep grinding, one at-bat, one inning at a time.
Road Warriors Ready
As the Dodgers now prepare to take their undefeated record on the road—starting with a tough environment in Philadelphia—Edman says the team is ready for whatever comes next.
“There’s really no in-between with fans now,” he joked. “People are either Dodger fans or they hate the Dodgers.”
Still, Edman embraces the challenge. “It’s fun to play in those environments. They bring that playoff feel,” he said. “And I know we’ll see plenty of Dodgers fans on the road, too.”
A Lighthearted Dugout Moment
And just to keep things fun: after Edman’s homer, he and Ohtani shared a quick laugh in the dugout—not about the shot itself, but about Ohtani’s famed arm sleeve.
“I was like, man, maybe I need to start wearing that arm sleeve Shohei uses,” Edman said. “But I wasn’t wearing it today, and I still hit a homer—so maybe I don’t.”
The Bottom Line
In a night where the Dodgers looked out of sync early and trailed by five, it was a combination of mechanical discipline, team-first mentality, and timely swagger that brought them all the way back. Tommy Edman might not be the biggest name in the lineup, but he was the one who flipped the script in this one.
And if the first eight games are any indication, this team has the depth, grit, and belief to keep doing it all year long.
Next stop: Philly. Bring on the boos. The Dodgers are rolling.
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