On paper, the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup should be the best in the league right now, combining a strong mix of power and contact as well as depth.
They have really struggled in recent weeks though, and that was the case on Saturday when the Dodgers managed just six hits and two runs in a 4-2 loss to the division-rival Colorado Rockies.
After the game, Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group asked Justin Turner why the Dodgers offense has been so hot and cold recently, which prompted Turner to explain why he doesn’t believe that’s the case:
“I mean, compared to what?” Turner said. “We’ve scored more runs than anyone in the National League or right up there (third overall). The game of baseball is weird. It’s not about scoring a ton of runs every night. It’s about scoring more runs than the other team. When you say it’s hot and cold, I don’t know what that means. I guess if we win it’s hot and if we lose it’s cold. That’s based on results and I don’t believe in that.
“We’re facing big-league pitchers. That guy is really good. He’s been really good against everybody. This game is hard. It’s not easy. We’re out there, we’re grinding and we fell a little short tonight.”
Per Plunkett, since the start of August, the Dodgers’ 20 wins are by a total of 100 runs, including six double-digit victories. Their 16 losses, on the other hand, are by a total of 41 runs, including 12 by two runs or fewer.
The Dodgers also have the best run differential in the National League at +129, but their record is just the sixth-best.
Turner has certainly been doing his part as he was recently named the NL Player of the Month, and has carried that hot-hitting in September. He had one of the club’s six hits on Saturday.
