The Los Angeles Dodgers opened the 2017 regular season by winning three of four games against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. They’ve failed to win any of the seven series that have followed, entering play Friday night against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Although Los Angeles went 3-4 on their road trip, they managed to stave off being swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks, and earned a series split with the San Francisco Giants. Both accomplishments were reached in the final game of their respective series.
Despite being under .500 at present time, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is generally pleased with his club’s current standing, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“We know our bats will come around,” Manager Dave Roberts said. “We know how good we are. We know how much talent we have. We know we’re going to win baseball games. The way we’ve been inconsistent in different facets of the game and still find ourselves one game under .500 (11-12). I think we’re in a good spot. I really do.”
In similar fashion to last season, the Dodgers this year have been plagued by inconsistent hitting and starting pitching. Injuries have also been a factor. One season after setting a Major League record by putting 28 different players on the disabled list, the Dodgers are already at 12 players.
After a three-game set against the Phillies, the Dodgers will get another look at the Giants. Entering Friday, the Dodgers are 3.5 games back of the National League West-leading Diamondbacks.
Arizona has won four of seven games against Los Angeles thus far. They’ll next meet July 4 for the start of a three-game series at Dodger Stadium.
Projecting further down the line for the Dodgers, their streak of four consecutive NL West titles and four straight seasons with at least 90 victories. The Dodgers were 12-11 after their first 23 games last season.
