RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesLos Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts tried to explain the Dodgers’ recent struggles on both sides of the ball.
The Dodgers have lost eight of their last nine games , and haven’t scored more than six runs in any of those games. Additionally, their starters and relievers alike have struggled to keep runs off the board. Even their win— a 2-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday —didn’t instill confidence, as they failed to put a run on the board until the eighth inning.
“When you’re losing like we’re losing, it’s always a combination,” Roberts said . “Some days it’s the starters, some days it’s the relievers, some days it’s the offense. And when you can sync those up, you have a better chance to win. And when you don’t, which we haven’t in that span of time … you lose more than you win. And so, yeah, we’re certainly not playing up to our capabilities.”
Aug 8, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (4) looks out to the field before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Anna Carrington-Imagn Images
What Have the Dodgers Struggled With During Their Skid?
The Dodgers have the third-worst offense in the National League since July 31, the beginning of their cold streak, as they have just an 84 wRC+ during that span. Their 29 runs over the past nine games rank 25th in MLB since then.
Additionally, the Dodgers’ once-spotless rotation limped through the last three series, posting a collective 6.15 ERA—the third-worst in the majors. They’re struggling for strikeouts during this stretch, and are actually outperforming their 7.09 FIP over the past nine games.
The bullpen has been slightly better, posting a 4.71 ERA, though they still rank within the bottom 10 in MLB since July 31.
These three factors have seen the Dodgers’ almost insurmountable lead atop the division shrink to 7.5 games—a perfectly attainable total for their competitors.
Have the Dodgers Slumped Like This Before?
The Dodgers hit a similar rough patch last season, though their lead atop the NL West was smaller than during their recent cold streak. LA led the NL West by nine games in August, but lost their spot to the San Diego Padres a couple times while their bullpen struggled to piece things together.
They still managed to win the division, though had to play in the Wild Card series after finishing as the No. 3 seed in the NL. Regardless, the Dodgers made quick work of the National League before going on to win the World Series in seven games.
Their next opportunity to get back on track comes Monday as they return to Dodger Stadium to play the Kansas City Royals. Tarik Skubal will make his second start as a Dodger and first in front of the home crowd, with first pitch coming at 7:10 p.m. PT.
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