As flowers grow and bees fly, Spring brings renewal to all things living. However, for the Los Angeles Dodgers, the only thing they want to renew is their membership in the World Series Winners club. As the champs returned to Camelback ranch, they had one goal, run it back. A few changes to the roster were made however. Their highly anticipated international signing of KBO infielder Hye-Seong Kim didn’t go as planned and he is now paying his dues in the minors. Michael Conforto was also added to the 40-man roster. With additions to the rotation such as former Cy Young Blake Snell, and Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki. So how is this all playing out for the boys in the blue? Maybe not the best.
The Dodgers got off to a historically hot streak, becoming the first reigning champions to start a season 8-0. However these games were not easy victories, two of them being walkoffs, and a staggering six of them being comeback wins. While achieving the record, these games exposed some of their weaknesses early on. Snell was giving up a lot of contact, Roki struggled to find the zone, and the offense went quiet in multiple instances especially in their first loss where it was all downhill from there
After their perfect 8, they suffered their first loss against the Philadelphia Phillies. Giving Yamamoto the loss. After winning their next game playing the Phillies, they started a 3-game losing streak, ultimately coming back to win 4, sweeping the Colorado Rockies, thanks to a stellar performance by May. This streak was lost to a 3-4 loss against the Rangers, where Adolis Garcia hit a Walk off home run to win the game. However, the Dodgers came back next game winning by one to win the series.
The Game of the Year so far has been April 22’s Cubs-Dodgers game. Where a Jam packed game full of home runs (courtesy of Andy Pages and Tommy Edman) led to a 10-10 tie at the end of the ninth inning. Where the Chicago Cubs unfortunately walked it off and won the game 11-0. With the recent road trips gone wrong, Is it time to panic? Snell is out with an injury, and the offense is selling good starts. Some fans think it’s far too early to call anything, some think signs of a playoff failure can be traced back as early as this point of the season.
We spoke to Karen Greenberg, Lifelong LA County resident and Lifelong Dodger fan; when asked about how the Dodgers season has been so far and what she thinks about the rest of the season, she responded “I am really enjoying the Dodger season so far. They had a really great start and then some tough losses. But no matter what, I am always a die hard dodger fan.” She continued, “the Dodgers will have some ups and downs but in the end I am hoping the Dodgers will be in first place, win the National League West and win the World Series.”
When healthy, this star-studded roster is no doubt the best team in baseball. The Dodgers big three of Ohtani, Freeman, and Betts all have a combined 2-22 in the two games. The offense has gone completely cold, when they’re pitchers do good, they go quiet. The Dodgers have to wake up while there still is plenty of time, they’ve slipped to third in a subdivision they’ve dominated for years. For the fans, with the fans, it’s time for the Dodgers to become a dynasty.
