The 2022 season for the Los Angeles Dodgers will forever be defined by their failure in the playoffs. It is a disappointing reality for the club that won a franchise-record 111 games during the regular season, a feat that had not been accomplished by a National League club since the 1909 Pittsburgh Pirates.
While the Dodgers steamrolled their way through the season with an even-keeled and business-like approach, there was a distinct lack of energy from them. That carried into the postseason, which left a rival scout shocked by how boring they were as a team.
Energy is something the team has lacked without players such as Kiké Hernández, Yasiel Puig and Joc Pederson on the roster. Hanser Alberto tried to bring that passion, but it’s a challenge to do from the bench, and that lack of fire overall may have ultimately affected them in the postseason when any bit of momentum can swing a series.
“I think there’s some truth to that,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said when asked if the team needs more intensity and emotion in the playoffs. “As a manager, you never want to say that somebody wants it more than you because I think that speaks to the preparation part of it, the mental part of it.
“But I will say that you look at that dugout (San Diego Padres’) versus our dugout, there was more intensity there. And so not asking guys to be outside of who they are, but that ultimate sense of urgency each pitch, I think that we’re going to make sure that that’s noted. Because I do think the retrospect, the postmortem, kind of looking at it, I sensed it.
“So that part of it, I think that I’ve got to certainly take ownership of, for sure.”
The Dodgers did have to go through a layoff before their October run began. Following the season, they were given five days off as they waited for the outcome of the Wild Card Series to determine who they would face.
Plus with their regular season dominance, they also clinched the division title and No. 1 seed in baseball, which allowed them to take their foot off the gas as they cruised into the postseason. However, Roberts doesn’t want to use either of those as an excuse for their postseason struggles.
“No. I felt we played good baseball throughout September,” Roberts said. “We won Game 1. I thought Game 2, I feel we were really good. It just didn’t work out. I thought we swung the bats well that night and I thought we played well enough to win.
“And then it just kind of went south the last two. So I don’t think that had anything to do with it.”
As the Dodgers enter a youth movement in the 2023 season, there is hope that a personnel change can provide a new spark and light the fire under the team. Miguel Vargas, who is expected to play a significant role next season, is widely regarded as someone who plays with a lot of emotion and can bring some much-needed passion to the roster.
Justin Turner disagreed with the assessment the Dodgers were boring
After the rival scout made his comment about the Dodgers being boring and lacking energy, Justin Turner said he disagreed with that statement.
The main criticism of the lack of fun stemmed from the Dodgers’ professional approach compared to teams such as the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners, who celebrated and constantly showed their emotion.
The Dodgers did create a few different celebrations from their head tap to the hang loose sign and their pepper-grinding motion throughout the season, but they were only featured after a big moment and didn’t bring much life to the team.
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