This week for the Dodgers has been one of the worst in recent memory. Not only have they not won a game (I’m writing this on a Friday), but they were swept by division rival San Diego Padres, and on Thursday, no-hit by the Chicago Cubs at home.
Cubs starter Zach Davies and relievers Ryan Tepera, Andrew Chafin, and Craig Kimbrel combined to no-hit the Dodgers. It was the seventh no-hitter in the majors this season.
As fans can expect, social media has been a frenzy, as many fans have voiced their displeasure online. So far this season, this isn’t the same Dodger team as last year in many different ways.
There have been personnel changes and numerous roster moves, creating many different looks. Most importantly, the Dodgers have had horrible luck with injuries.
Currently, the Dodgers are four and a half games back of the first-place Giants and are tied in second place with the Padres. These three division foes will have quite the pennant race as the season goes on. Right now, the four and a half game deficit for the Dodgers is a new season-high.
The Dodgers on Thursday managed eight walks in the baserunning department but obviously couldn’t cash anything in. Walker Buehler also suffered his first loss of the season and his first since Sept. 2019.
I’ve seen a lot of comments recently filled with frustration, saying the team doesn’t have any fight, no chemistry in the dugout, and so on. While I agree there is something disconcerting about this team, it could be a World Series hangover. Perhaps after achieving the goal of a championship they feel a little complacent.
I also agree that the Giants and Padres this year are playing with a different fire than the Dodgers. Obviously, this is just my opinion and some observations I made. The All-Star break I believe will serve the Dodgers well.
Many fans feel that the Padres and Giants will go away soon and fall off, but the truth is it doesn’t look like they are going anywhere anytime soon. The Dodgers can’t afford to fall behind too much; however, they are still 13 games above .500. But it’s still not time to hit the panic button with more than three months remaining in the regular season.
It is a long season (of the 162-game variety) and no team will just cruise through the entire schedule. Sure, the Dodgers are in a funk as of now, but as we all know, they are capable of lengthy streaks. They started off the season 13-2 then had that horrible spell in which they lost 15 out of their next 20 games.
I expect the team to be better as we get closer to a playoff push, especially as it gets healthier. Let’s hope the Dodgers get back to their winning ways Friday in the second game of this four-game series against the Cubs.
Right-hander Tony Gonsolin will start for the Dodgers, he is 0-0 and has posted an ERA of 3.00 since returning from the injured list. The Dodgers will face veteran right-hander Jake Arrieta, who’s struggled a bit this season, but as you may remember, threw a no-hitter at Dodger Stadium back in 2015. Arrieta this season is 5-8 with a 5.45 ERA.
Friday’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. Pacific.
Think Blue Planning Committee 
I still think the Giants are going to go into a dive at some point. Every one of their guys seems to be having a career year and they’re all doing it at the same time. I’m astonished it’s lasted this long but I just don’t see it lasting for the entire season.
The Padres, on the other hand, are a very good baseball team. They have pitching and hitting and pizazz and motivation. When you put all that together, it could be very hard to beat. Then they’ve got Preller, who loves to pull off trades where he moves prospects for guys who can help the current club. I’ll be very interested to see what he does in July, because I definitely don’t see him sitting on his hands at the deadline.
If we continue on our current path, maybe we’ll be sellers this year and can grab some of Preller’s better prospects. 🙂
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I don’t see any fire!!! Taking to many pitches not being aggressive at all. Are we missing Kike&Joc’s motivation? Down by runs in the first inning the last 4 games and now no hit hopefully that will motivate them to fight not cowering in the corner. Common boys let’s get going
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Dodgers. Soporific.
I think they’ll eventually snap out of it, but in the mean time the lack of energy this team expresses is tough to watch.
I see we are favored today. And it looks like the varsity will start the game. I look for 7 runs tonight.
Prayers to the families of those lost in that horrible building collapse in Surfside.
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When are they going to look at REPLACING MARK PRIOR I never have seen our starting pitchers give up so many HOME RUNS in the first two innings .I have been a DODGERS FAN since 1964 ROBERTS WILL NEVER LEARN HOW TO DEAL WITH PITCHERS
WE ALL REMEMBER HOW HE HANDLED PITCHERS IN TWO OF OUR WORLD SERIES
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Yay we won! Boo fans still bitching. It is June people. No team is perfect and this bunch is not even playing at full strength yet. HR’s are not on the pitching coach there Bruce. You look at most of those dingers and the pitchers hung every one of those shots right in the middle of the plate. Executing the pitch is on the pitcher, not Mark Prior. And he has done a pretty good job. You want to fire a pitching coach, maybe you should talk to the teams that are at the bottom of the stat list in ERA< HR's and other stats. Yes, the starters have given up HR's in bunches. Most of them of the solo variety which usually do not hurt the Dodgers except in a stretch like they went through the last 4 games when they were not scoring at all.
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Many of us have had concerns with this team’s inability to hit with two strikes or to move the runner over. These guys are the worst at swinging from their heels or watching strike 3 go over the plate. Horrible discipline and outlook. I understand that modern-day baseball is all about home runs but ya gotta hit the ball! Swinging and missing is not acceptable. I am not a huge fan of Bellinger’s right now. He seems very selfish as he continues to strikeout. So far Bellinger is an easy out. He was mediocre last year and has continued the trend this year. Is this guy motivated? It seems he is not.
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WRISP. Lately we suck.
This team’s organizational philosophy is swing from the heels no matter the count, no matter the situation. That isn’t likely to change. We just need the guys who are paid to make contact to start making contact. If Betts, Bellinger and Seager were all mashing we’d look like a different club. I still think the second half will look different, not only for us but for other teams as well.
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That’s more like it.
The Athletic mentions Jon Gray or Kyle Gibson. We’re going to need another starter from somewhere. I’d like to see two. Our 4 horses are going to need a few days off in the second half.
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