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Los Angeles Dodgers will weather the current storm

By David Hill

Apr 17, 2021; San Diego, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder fielder Zach McKinstry (8) is congratulated by center fielder Mookie Betts (50) after scoring a run after starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (not pictured) walked with the bases loaded during the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2021; San Diego, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder fielder Zach McKinstry (8) is congratulated by center fielder Mookie Betts (50) after scoring a run after starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (not pictured) walked with the bases loaded during the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tuesday was a chance for the Los Angeles Dodgers to get right. They had a doubleheader against the struggling Cubs with Clayton Kershaw and Trevor Bauer lined up for those games. Not only was it a chance for the Dodgers to shake off their current slump, but it was a great opportunity for the bullpen to get some needed rest.

Neither of those happened. Kershaw lasted one inning in what was tied for the shortest outing of his career. Bauer went longer, but also allowed four walks in his 4.1 innings as he was somewhat effectively wild. None of it mattered as the Dodgers lost both ends of the doubleheader, falling to 17-14 on the season.

Los Angeles Dodgers need to weather the storm

Not only have the Dodgers lost 12 of their last 16 games, but they are actually closer to fourth place than they are to the division lead. To make matters worse, Dustin May has been lost for the season, three pieces of the bullpen are on the Injured List, and they have been without Cody Bellinger for most of the year. One can understand why there may be some issues.

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But the Dodgers, perhaps more than any other team, were built to withstand a wave of injuries such as this. David Price, who is injured himself, was in the bullpen due to their impressive rotation depth. At least he was in the majors – Tony Gonsolin, who finished fourth in the NL Rookie of the Year award last year, was ticketed to the minors before May’s injury.

The Dodgers have been productive despite their recent lack of success. They rank second in the National League with 152 runs and a .750 OPS. On the pitching side, their 3.14 ERA is also second in the NL. Their 19-12 Pythagorean record indicates that a portion of their struggles have simply been bad luck.

Even team goes through hot and cold stretches. The Dodgers right now are in the midst of the latter, falling from the class of the National League to being tied for second in their division. But with the talent and depth that they have, these struggles will be short-lived.

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The Los Angeles Dodgers are far too talented for this cold streak to last forever. They just need to weather the storm for now.

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