The Los Angeles Dodgers’ offensive frustrations reached a boiling point during their extra-inning loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday.
On one hand, the team had plenty of scoring opportunities and held multiple three-run leads. But on the other, L.A. failed to capitalize on those chances and stranded 13 baserunners while going just 1-for-18 with runners in scoring position.
With their loss to the Cardinals, the Dodgers have fallen to the No. 3 seed in the National League playoff picture. They are just 26-27 since July 1.
“No, just kind of how it goes,” Freeman said when asked if the Dodgers’ slump will be harder to get out of compared to last year. “That’s why you play 162 games. That’s why we got off to a great start to manage these stretches throughout the course of the season.
“So we still got a month left. Starting to score some runs now, so hopefully we can put it together the last 20-plus games.”
Freeman remains confident in this Dodgers group, which has dealt with plenty of adversity over the years.
“Very easy. Very easy with this group. We’ve been through everything. We’ve seen everything,” Freeman began. “Had our backs against the wall and had to win games when we needed to. It’s a very resilient group, and you’re starting to see some life out of the offense, so I think good things are ahead.”
Freddie Freeman finds silver lining with RISP
The Dodgers have largely struggled with runners on base over the last two months, which coincides with their overall offensive woes. It’s a trend that Freeman can’t explain.
“I mean, I wish I could give you guys the clear-cut answer of why we’re not getting hits with runners in scoring position. But there is no clear-cut answer,” Freeman said after the 8-6 loss to the Cardinals. “It’s just kind of how it goes. When you’re going through it as a group, it’s just you seem to get those opportunities, and you don’t get the big hits.
“Just kind of what they did over there in the sixth inning and on. They got the big hits, and that’s why they ended up winning. So I know that everyone doesn’t want to hear it, and the fans don’t want to hear it, but 18 opportunities at least. I guess we got to try and find a positive. But that was a tough loss.”
Freeman wasn’t to blame for the Dodgers’ struggles with runners in scoring position against the Cardinals as he reached base in all five of his plate appearances and hit his first home run since the Fourth of July. As for how the team can get back on track, the 10-time All-Star believes it’s simply a matter of riding out the storm.
“It’s always plug away,” Freeman said. “You do have to take a step back. We are 25-plus games over .500. We are back-to-back World Series champions. We are a great team. Great teams go through it, and we’ll be all right.”
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