Since getting off to an MLB-best 13-2 start this season, the Los Angeles Dodgers have gone on to win just seven of their last 22 games, dropping five consecutive series at one point and falling to third place in the National League West.
The club’s recent stretch of sloppy play can be attributed to a number of reasons, including injuries and inconsistencies at the plate. L.A. most notably has been without the likes of Cody Bellinger and Zach McKinstry for a few weeks, but they nonetheless continue making steady progress.
The Dodgers also have struggled to consistently score runs at times this season, even when it appeared the team was breaking out of the slump. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman cited these factors for the nearly month-long slump, via Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times:
“It’s just kind of an imperfect storm,” Friedman said. “I think the offensive slump that a number of guys are going through is part of the game, and to be expected over the course of the season. I think it’s really rare for five or six guys to be going through it at the same time. That, coupled with the number of injuries we’ve had that have been so concentrated, has contributed to it as well.”
As Friedman pointed out, several key contributors either went through or are currently mired in lengthy slumps. Mookie Betts, Max Muncy and Corey Seager are among the regulars batting under .200 over the past two and a half weeks, although each have shown signs of turning things around.
Betts is swinging a hot bat as of late, Muncy has found his power swing and Seager went 6-for-his-last-9 against the L.A. Angels.
Betts trying to ‘get on a wave and ride it’
After a productive Freeway Series, Betts is now 13-for-his-last-44 (.300) with four doubles, two homers and eight RBI. “Things come and go, but I think I’m in a decent spot to go out and compete,” Betts said after the Dodgers hung on for a 14-11 win last weekend.
“Working hard, trying to get back to a normal feeling. Like I said earlier, it’s just trying to get on a wave and ride it.”
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