Bottom of Dodgers’ lineup still not holding up its end offensively
CINCINNATI — There are going to be ups and downs offensively over the course of the season. The Dodgers were definitely in a down cycle when they headed on the road for this six-game road trip.
Over their 14 games before Friday, the Dodgers had averaged 3.69 runs per game while batting .213. They have especially slipped in the clutch, batting .217 with runners in scoring position.
“Simply put, we’re missing fastballs and I think mistakes in the middle of the hitting zone, spin, we’re not taking advantage of. We’re missing a lot of our pitches and we’re not getting on the fastball,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, offering his diagnosis before Friday’s game.
“I do think that in this modern day of baseball when the offenses are on the fastball it equates to performance and scoring runs. And when you’re not – I think all year we’ve done a pretty good job of it. This last couple weeks, I don’t think we have.”
The trio of MVPs at the top of the lineup have all cooled off in the past two weeks – relatively speaking for Shohei Ohtani, who still hit .300 in 13 games before Friday. But any team-wide slump is going to draw attention to the continued lack of production at the bottom of the lineup.
Andy Pages temporarily breathed offensive life into the group but he has also slipped into a slump (8 for his past 60 before Friday). The Dodgers’ seventh through ninth hitters continue to be last in MLB with a collective slash line of .229/.293/.357 through Thursday.
“I think it comes with the nature of having a top-heavy, star-laden top end,” Roberts said. “But I do think those guys at the bottom outside of probably Miguel Rojas are just underperforming. That’s on them as well. It is relative. But I still believe they know they should be better as well.
“Now is the time guys have had enough at-bats where there needs to be some adjustments, certainly performance. Obviously not having Max (Muncy) around for an extended period of time gives a little more runway for Kiké and Rojas, who’s in there today. I just think the team offense part of it, when we’re going well is very productive. And then when you’re not, it doesn’t look great.”
MUNCY LIMBO
When Muncy went on the 10-day injured list with a mild oblique strain, Roberts was optimistic that he would be ready to return when he is eligible next week. Roberts backed off that timeline on Friday.
“I think with the oblique, I know we’re going to be very mindful of slow playing it,” Roberts said.
Muncy was expected to go on a minor-league injury rehabilitation assignment for a day or two soon. Roberts said Friday “I don’t see that happening, certainly in the next handful of days.”
Roberts said Muncy had started hitting off a tee and “still felt it (the oblique injury) a little bit.”
“For me, that’s just telling with the oblique,” Roberts said. “As long as he feels it, then I think that we’re going to kind of stand pat.”
MOVING ON
The Seattle Mariners claimed right-hander Eduardo Salazar on waivers. Salazar was designated for assignment by the Dodgers. Salazar made one appearance for the Dodgers, allowing one run in two innings against the San Francisco Giants.
Right-hander Nabil Crismatt has signed a minor-league contract with the Texas Rangers. Crismatt was also designated for assignment by the Dodgers. He cleared waivers and declined an assignment to Triple-A. Crismatt had a 2.57 ERA in five appearances for the Dodgers this season.
And veteran left-hander Drew Pomeranz was released from Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he had a 6.00 ERA in eight appearances this season and signed a major-league deal with the Giants. Pomeranz opted out of an earlier deal with the Dodgers only to return to OKC. A veteran of parts of 11 major-league seasons, Pomeranz has not been able to make it back to the big leagues since 2021 due to two elbow surgeries.
UP NEXT
Dodgers (RHP Walker Buehler, 1-1, 4.05 ERA) at Reds (RHP Hunter Greene, 2-2, 3.22 ERA), Saturday, 4:15 p.m. PT, FOX (Ch. 11), 570 AM