Alyssa Maldonado
The Dodgers are currently on their longest losing streak of the 2024 season. Losing their last 5 games, the team’s batting average is a .205 average. The team still sits at the top of the NL West being 5 games ahead of the San Francisco Giants. However, during this losing streak, the Diamondbacks and the Reds overpowered the Dodgers, outscoring them 29-11.
Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts are currently batting over a .300. There is hope in the lineup with 3 other players (Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, and Teoscar Hernandez) who are currently batting over a .250 batting average and are only getting better.
Ohtani is still the top hitter on the team, leading the Dodgers with a batting average of .336 with 32 extra base hits. Despite having a good season, in the last 3 games against Cincinnati, he went 2-for-13. Despite having only two hits the whole series, Dave Roberts commented on Ohtani’s approach at the plate and how it was “nice to square one up.”
Mookie Betts was looking good at the plate against Cincinnati, he went 5-for-12, with 3 of his hits coming in the last game. On the season, Betts is batting a .335 average with a .431 OBP and continues to be the lead off hitter that the lineup needs during this losing streak.
After the series against the Reds, Roberts is still confident when he writes the lineup. In a post game interview, he expressed his confidence in his usual starting players. Roberts believe that the Dodgers lineup will only get better as the season continues. Talking with the media, he keeps it basic with his hitters telling them they need to “hit good pitches” and “control the strike zone.” Despite feeling like the lineup struggling a little bit, it is all a part of the season. It is to be noted that Roberts is all about giving opportunities to all his players, and in order to find a change in what is being seen, Roberts will be making changes to the lineup.
With the Dodgers having a great start to the season. It is normal to see slight dips in averages and losses. However, it is the response that matters. The Dodgers have the Mets and Rockies, both teams have more losses than wins. However, it does not mean they will not capitalize on the Dodgers past couple appearances.
