The Los Angeles Dodgers entered Week 7 searching for answers, and while the bats finally showed some life with eight home runs, the overall picture remains cloudy. After a promising start to the season, cracks are beginning to show in both the lineup and the pitching staff.
The week began with a split of six games against the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves, but the numbers tell a troubling story. Outside of two solid offensive performances in Houston, the Dodgers' lineup went cold, managing just seven runs in three games against the Braves—the team with baseball's best record. A gritty Friday night win against Chris Sale offered a glimmer of hope, but Saturday and Sunday brought frustrating losses against Spencer Strider and Bryce Elder, with the bats producing just two hits in Sunday's defeat, a season low.
The scoring drought isn't new. The Dodgers have scored three or fewer runs in eight of their last 11 games and 12 of their last 21. That's a sharp drop-off from their 15-4 start, and the team has gone just 9-12 since. "We really haven't been able to put together innings," manager Dave Roberts said after Sunday's loss. "As a unit, I don't think we're one piece right now." Third baseman Max Muncy echoed that sentiment, noting that several hitters are struggling with mechanics and need to refocus on competing in the batter's box rather than overthinking their swings.
Meanwhile, the starting rotation—which had been a rock through the first six weeks—finally showed signs of wear. Tyler Glasnow was sidelined with back spasms, and while the Dodgers welcomed Blake Snell back from injury, his return came earlier than planned, leading to rust and a rough outing on Saturday. With a grueling stretch of 13 games in 13 days underway, the team has already added three pitchers to the active roster to shore up the bullpen.
For Dodgers fans, the message is clear: the team is in a fight, and every at-bat and every pitch matters. As the season heats up, staying locked in—and staying equipped with the right gear—can make all the difference.