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The Los Angeles Dodgers are tied with the San Diego Padres atop the National League West, but their offense has gone cold despite their strong record. A star-studded lineup has struggled to find the consistency expected of a team seeking a World Series three-peat.
FOX Sports analyst Dontrelle Willis pointed to the lack of production from the top of the Dodgers’ lineup during Monday night’s MLB on FOX telecast. For Willis, the problem isn’t just the offense struggling overall, but the team’s biggest stars not producing consistently.
“Andy Pages has been a great story and hopefully he gets a chance to be an All-Star,” Willis said. “He leads them in batting average, RBI and slugging. The problem is, you don’t want Andy Pages in the sixth or seventh hole leading you in RBI or slugging.”
The Dodgers have struggled to get consistent production from the top of the lineup, and one of the more notable slow starts has come from reigning MVP Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani is hitting .241 this season, which would mark the second-lowest career batting average.
“Shohei Ohtani has gotten off to a slow start and doesn’t look comfortable at the plate,” Willis said. “So the run production is a little sketchy, especially when they’re going up against the top tier of ball clubs.”
The Dodgers’ stars have especially struggled in recent games. Over the last 11 contests, Ohtani, Teoscar Hernandez, Max Muncy and Freddie Freeman have combined for a .591 OPS. During that stretch, Los Angeles has gone 4-7 and lost three of its last four series.
“The driving difference is still there,” Willis said. “They’re behind the Yankees and Braves, but I’d like to see more quality pitching up and down the lineup. We’re not seeing that. Maybe it’s a little fatigue, but I just hope this isn’t the hourglass that ends in this locker room.”
The recent offensive slump has begun to overshadow what has otherwise been a strong start in the standings for Los Angeles.
“They look a little sluggish, especially the main guys,” Willis said. “Hopefully Mookie Betts back in the lineup brings a little shot in the arm, a little motivation and a little push and they can go from there.”
