As the Los Angeles Dodgers were ripping off wins in June, throughout July and into August, the best record in baseball and fifth consecutive National League West title appeared nothing more than a formality.
Then the Dodgers hit a skid, lost 11 straight games and 16 of 17 overall. Their losing streak was the worst in franchise history since 1944. Los Angeles became the first team to ever win 15 of 16 and lose 15 of 16 games in the same season.
Despite the historic rate at which the losses piled up, the Dodgers remained atop the standings. They showed signs of turning the corner by winning series against the San Francisco Giants and Washington Nationals.
However, that’s been accompanied with a string of four consecutive losses. Before Pedro Baez blew a lead to the Philadelphia Phillies, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said urgency is needed to for the remaining two weeks of the regular season, via Spectrum SportsNet LA:
“I think each night there’s got to be a sense of urgency. The season is essentially done, the stats are where they’re at and we’re going to clinch the division at some point in these next few days. Now each day has to be to gear up for the postseason and play with a sense of urgency. That’s in the batter’s box, playing defense, on the mound, and in coaching. All of us have to have that mindset each and every day.”
Oddly, it was not urgency but patience Roberts exuded in his first opportunity. As Baez was laboring in the seventh inning, Roberts and Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt remained in the dugout.
It was not until Baez surrendered a go-ahead, three-run double to Rhys Hosking that Roberts came with the hook. Even with their loss, the Dodgers again inched closer to the NL West title, thanks to aid provided by the San Diego Padres.
Entering Thursday, the Dodgers have 10 games to recapture some of the success that carried them to a 50-10 stretch earlier this season. In addition, the outlook in left field remains unsettled, and in some regard so too is the catching situation.
