Though the Los Angeles Dodgers at full strength don’t have many weaknesses on paper, they could stand to improve in a few areas. In addition to their inconsistent lineup, the club has struggled with holding baserunners and limiting stolen bases.
One could also argue the Dodgers haven’t played defense to the best of their ability thus far. Entering Wednesday, L.A. has committed 18 errors in 31 games, which is tied for the 12th-most in baseball with the Milwaukee Brewers and Pittsburgh Pirates.
“I think it’s not on par with what we’ve done and what we’re capable of doing,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of the team’s defensive play.
“There’s facets of the game — individually, collectively — you’re always trying to get better. I think the overall defense is something that’s at the top.”
While multiple offensive slumps are expected over the course of a 162-game season, Roberts did not anticipate the Dodgers’ defense being an early issue. “Yeah, that bothers me,” he admitted.
“It does bother me because that’s something we should be able to bank with our guys. The consistent defense is something we should bank. Very uncharacteristic, but we’ve seen it this year and it has to get better.”
One player that hasn’t looked sharp defensively is Corey Seager. He’s accounted for only three errors to this point but isn’t making the routine plays expected of him.
“I think if you look at the long body of work, what he provides is consistency,” Roberts said. “Again, we’re talking about a smaller sample as far as one month of baseball. We’re always trying to get better defensively. That’s kind of where we’re at.”
Roberts expects Dodgers to improve defensively
When asked to explain the Dodgers’ defensive struggles, Roberts couldn’t pinpoint a reason but expressed confidence of the team improving as the season progresses. “I don’t know that answer right now,” Roberts said.
“I know our guys are getting very good information as far as positioning, I know our guys practice with a purpose every day, and they’re not taking pitches off.
“Why we’re not converting plays, balls into outs like we have over a long period of time in the past, I don’t know the answer right now. My expectation is it will turn and get better. But right now to your question, which is very fair, I just don’t have the answer.”
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