The Noah Syndergaard experiment again failed to get on track and it contributed to the Los Angeles Dodgers having their two-game winning streak snapped with a 10-6 loss to the Washington Nationals.
Syndergaard allowed five runs on seven hits (three home runs) and recorded two strikeouts against two walks over five innings of work. He went 0-1 with a 6.86 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in five starts during the month of May.
“It really sucks. Right now I feel like I’m the only weakest link on this team,” Syndergaard said after the game. “I’m going to go out there and compete to try and be successful with the other guys in this clubhouse. It’s just not working out.”
Since signing with the Dodgers this past offseason, Syndergaard has attempted to return to his previous form by making a multitude of changes to his delivery and pitch selection.
However, the 30-year-old has not been able to find any consistency thus far or even implement his between-starts work. “I was trying to make those adjustments,” Syndergaard explained. “But trying to make big adjustments between starts isn’t the easiest.
“I’d give my hypothetical first born to be the old me again. I’ll do everything possible to get back to that. I’m still expected to go out there and compete.
“Today, I just fell behind a lot of hitters and couldn’t get my offspeed over for a strike. My changeup is a huge vulnerability for me right now. It used to be a plus-pitch but it’s a slower two-seam for me right now.
“I need to continue to work on throwing that and I’ve been working on throwing a splitter between starts, so I threw a couple of those just for the hell of it since I didn’t have much to lose. Got one hitter out with one, and the other I spiked in the dirt.”
Syndergaard initially hoped to improve his fastball velocity but noted that will only be possible if he has the right body movement. “I think velocity and command are just byproducts,” Syndergaard began.
“When I look at video of me now and video of me in the past, body movement is completely different. I’m trying to be as external as possible and just focus on results when I’m out there competing, but in between it’s just not syncing up or clicking.”
Will Noah Syndergaard remain in Dodgers rotation?
When asked if Syndergaard will take his next turn in the Dodgers rotation, manager Dave Roberts was non-committal.
With upcoming off days, the Dodgers could skip Syndergaard in the rotation and still have their starters take the mound on regular rest.
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