The Los Angeles Dodgers, two-time defending World Series champions, are experiencing an unusual slump. On Friday night, they extended their losing streak to seven games after a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Rookie Ryan Waldschmidt’s two-run, walk-off homer against closer Edwin Diaz sealed the fate for the Dodgers.
The Dodgers have been struggling on both sides of the ball, but their recent woes have been particularly evident in their bullpen. Diaz, a three-time All-Star, has been grappling with a staggering 11.00 ERA over 11 outings this season. Despite signing a $69 million, three-year deal during the offseason, the 32-year-old has yet to find his footing since returning from the injured list on July 29.
Diaz’s Struggles and Manager’s Dilemma
Diaz’s performance has been a point of concern for the Dodgers. ‘It’s the slider,’ Diaz admitted. ‘The fastball was great today, but I missed the slider right in the middle. I think I was trying to be perfect with the pitch, and I’ve got to be better. I’m a big league pitcher, so I’ve got to make pitches.’
Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged Diaz’s struggles but was hesitant to make a change. ‘Honestly, you’ve got to look at the options,’ Roberts said. ‘The way some of these guys are throwing, they’re not throwing great, either.’ The Dodgers’ bullpen has been a weak point, and Roberts is faced with a tough decision on who to trust in high-pressure situations.
Recent Struggles and Future Hopes
The Dodgers entered Friday’s game on a losing streak, having been swept by the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs. Despite their recent struggles, they maintain a comfortable lead in the NL West, sitting 7 1/2 games ahead of the Diamondbacks. Their record since July 5 stands at 10-16, a stark contrast to their usual dominance.
However, there are reasons for optimism. The Dodgers recently acquired ace left-hander Tarik Skubal in a trade-deadline deal with the Detroit Tigers. Additionally, two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell is set to return on Tuesday after missing most of the season with injuries. The lineup still boasts star power with Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and Kyle Tucker.
Roberts remains confident in his team’s ability to turn things around. ‘We’ve just got to play better,’ he said. ‘I don’t think the standings — I mean they’re important, they matter — but I just feel like with the talent we have, we’ve just got to play good baseball, and it’ll take care of itself. It always does.’
