The Los Angeles Dodgers have made no secret over the value and importance they place on depth not only on their active roster but throughout the organization. It’s been a factor in five consecutive National League West title teams and one World Series appearance.
However, coming off a remarkable 2017 season that ended one win shy of a World Series, the Dodgers have yet to truly look the part of last year’s juggernaut. Some players have struggled due to injuries while others regressed as the league adjusted.
No matter the reason, the Dodgers find themselves in a perilous situation with only 20 games remaining in the regular season. A win in Sunday’s series finale would pull them back to within a half-game of the Colorado Rockies for first place in the NL West.
But to do so the Dodgers will either need to heavily lean on their pitching staff, or hope the offense awakes from an unusual slumber at Coors Field. The offense has produced just six runs through the first two games.
It should be noted Colorado has scored the same amount, with the clubs trading 4-2 victories. Although his team has been saddled by an inconsistent lineup during stretches of the season, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is encouraged by some recent results, via SportsNet LA:
“I think there’s some things that are coming around. I think Chris Taylor, the last week, has taken some good at-bats. I think that Max Muncy has been good, I think J.T. has been very consistent, I think Manny is taking good at-bats. I think Yasiel has done a nice job. I think Kiké has done a nice job as well. We just got to kind of get our guys one through eight each night to get that starter out of there.”
Chris Taylor’s home run on Saturday was good for one of the Dodgers’ six hits in the loss. The homer was Taylor’s 15th this season but first since Aug. 24. Max Muncy delivered an RBI double in the ninth inning, and has put better swings on the ball even if results have yet to prove it.
Taylor hasn’t replicated his breakout 2017 campaign, while Muncy has been mired in a skid for the better part of the past five weeks. Yasiel Puig has battled inconsistency himself, and so too has Kiké Hernandez.
Manny Machado and Justin Turner have carried the lineup of late, particularly Turner who earned NL Player of the Month honors for August.
