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The Los Angeles Dodgers are tied with the San Diego Padres for the lead in the National League West, but their offense has gone cold despite their strong record. A star-studded lineup struggled to find the consistency expected of a team seeking a World Series trio.
Dontrelle Willis, FOX Sports analyst sharp to the lack of production from the top of the Dodgers lineup during Monday night’s MLB on FOX broadcast. For Willis, the problem isn’t just the offense struggling overall, but also the team’s biggest stars failing to produce consistently.
“Andy Pages has been a great story and I hope he gets a chance to become an All-Star,” Willis said. “He leads them in batting average, RBI and slug. The problem is you don’t want Andy Pages on the sixth or seventh hole leading you in RBI or slug.”
The Dodgers have struggled to get consistent production from the top of the lineup, and one of the most notable slow starts has come from reigning MVP Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani is hitting .241 this season, which would mark the second-lowest batting average of his career.
“Shohei Ohtani got off to a slow start and didn’t seem comfortable at the plate,” Willis said. “So the production is a little sketchy, especially when it comes up against the upper echelon of ball clubs.”
The Dodgers stars have particularly 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 went 4-7 and lost three of its last four series.
“The point differential is still there,” Willis said. “They’re behind the Yankees and the Braves, but I want to see more quality hitters in the lineup. We’re not seeing it. Maybe it’s a little fatigue, but I just hope it’s not the hourglass running out in this locker room.”
The recent offensive slump has started to overshadow what would have otherwise been a strong start in the standings for Los Angeles.
“They seem a little slow, especially the key players,” Willis said. “Hopefully having Mookie Betts back in the lineup will give them a little boost, a little motivation and a little boost, and they can go from there.”
