The Los Angeles Dodgers boast one of the deepest lineups in all of baseball, but the group evidently has hit a rough patch as of late, which continued even in a win against the San Diego Padres as they were outhit.
The club mustered just four hits in the contest and are yet to find more success since Trea Turner was moved from the leadoff spot of the lineup to batting third. Mookie Betts has reprised his role as the Dodgers’ leadoff man.
When asked to expand on Max Muncy’s recent remarks about the Dodgers’ offensive struggles, Turner declined to comment but offered a potential solution on how the team can turn things around.
“I don’t know what he said exactly, so don’t necessarily want to comment on that because I don’t know what he said. But I think we’ve got a lot of good players and it’s frustrating when you don’t produce or do what you’re capable of,” Turner said.
“I think we’re capable of a lot. Seeing the amount of talent and experience over here, we’re capable of a lot and we can play a lot better offensively going forward. It’s just a matter of relaxing a little bit.
“I think we’re trying a little bit too hard sometimes. Having a little more fun, knowing we’ve got the ability to beat anybody on any day. We’ve just got to show up and perform.”
As for how the Dodgers can start to have more fun, Turner believes it must come naturally. “It’s organic. You can’t force it,” he said. “You don’t know what’s going to happen in a long season, what jokes guys can come up with, or experiences you share. It could be anything.
“It could start with one guy doing something to kind of spark the team. It could be anybody in any situation. I think it’s more perspective and mindset than it is physical. Just kind of enjoying one another, rooting each other on and just taking it day by day.
“I don’t know what it is, but I think it’s something organic that happens over the course of a year. I think every good team has things like that that they can lean on. I think we’ll have to find ours.”
Roberts agrees with Turner
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts agreed with Turner’s assessment and thinks a more loose approach would help the team break out of their funk. “Absolutely. I think to add pressure or whatever, that certainly doesn’t help,” Roberts said.
“So I think just the mindset of expecting good things to happen. I think the fun part, playing loose, playing relaxed, playing focused, I think you can do all those things together.
“I know we’re looking forward to getting back home. You’ll see a lot of positive energy. I agree with Trea. You’ve got to go out there and play loose. Fun is also scoring runs and getting hits too, and we’ll do that.”
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