Despite a difficult season, Kike Hernandez says he is confident in the Dodgers, saying, “We have another 148 to go.”

The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the 2025 MLB season with the kind of sky-high expectations only a franchise of their caliber can carry. With a roster brimming with All-Stars, future Hall of Famers, and highly touted prospects, the Dodgers were expected to dominate from Opening Day.

Instead, they’ve stumbled out of the gate.

A rocky 6-8 start to the season has left many fans scratching their heads. But for utility man Kiké Hernández, there’s no panic. After a disappointing 3-1 loss that marked another wasted opportunity for the Dodgers’ star-studded offense, Hernández stood in front of reporters with a calm demeanor and a message of reassurance.

“We’ve got another 148 to go,” he said, flashing a confident smile. “There’s a lot of baseball left.”

It’s a reminder that baseball, unlike other major sports, is a marathon — not a sprint. And in Hernández, the Dodgers have a veteran voice capable of keeping the clubhouse centered, even when the noise outside gets louder.

Early Struggles for a Star-Studded Roster

No team in baseball came into 2025 with more buzz than the Dodgers. Shohei Ohtani’s landmark contract dominated headlines. Mookie Betts made the much-publicized move to shortstop. Freddie Freeman was fresh off another MVP-caliber season. Add in the return of Walker Buehler, the presence of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and the rise of young talents like Bobby Miller and Miguel Vargas, and it’s easy to see why pundits picked the Dodgers as World Series favorites.

But so far, things haven’t clicked.

The offense has been inconsistent, frequently leaving runners stranded in scoring position. The bullpen has been shaky, coughing up late leads. Even Betts and Freeman — typically steady performers — have had their slumps. Through 14 games, the Dodgers have scored three runs or fewer in eight of them.

Fans have voiced frustrations, and media scrutiny has ramped up. But Hernández, now in his second stint with the Dodgers, is urging everyone to keep things in perspective.

The Voice of Experience

At 33 years old, Kiké Hernández has been through plenty of ups and downs in his career. He was a key piece of the Dodgers’ 2020 World Series championship, providing clutch hits and defensive versatility. After spending two years with the Boston Red Sox, he returned to Los Angeles in 2023 and has since reestablished himself as a key clubhouse leader.

His confidence, even in the face of adversity, stems from his understanding of the long grind that is a 162-game season.

“Look, I get it — we expect to win every night,” Hernández said. “And when we don’t, it’s frustrating. But we also know we’re built for the long haul. We’ve got guys who know how to win. We’ve got depth. We’ve got talent. We just need to settle in.”

For Hernández, settling in doesn’t mean ignoring the issues — it means addressing them without overreacting. He’s been around long enough to know that slumps happen, injuries occur, and team chemistry takes time to develop, especially with new pieces in the mix.

Adjusting to New Roles

Part of the Dodgers’ early-season growing pains can be attributed to their new-look roster and shifting roles.

Mookie Betts’ transition to shortstop has drawn scrutiny, and while he’s shown flashes of brilliance defensively, he’s also made costly mistakes. Ohtani, while continuing to produce at the plate, is not pitching this season as he recovers from elbow surgery, which puts more pressure on the rest of the rotation.

Meanwhile, Dave Roberts has had to tinker with lineups to find the right balance, sometimes to mixed results. Young players like Andy Pages and James Outman are still developing, and the bullpen has lacked a definitive closer with Evan Phillips sidelined.

In the middle of it all is Hernández — the glue guy, the veteran who can play nearly any position and provide stability.

“He’s been so important in keeping the vibe positive,” Roberts said. “Kiké understands what it takes. He’s been here before. He reminds guys not to get too high or too low. That matters when you’re going through a rough patch.”

A Seasoned Perspective

Hernández’s comment about having “another 148 to go” wasn’t just a throwaway line. It was a calculated message to both the clubhouse and the fans: trust the process.

“It’s easy to ride the emotional roller coaster in this game,” Hernández added. “You win three in a row, and people start talking about the World Series. You lose three, and it’s like the sky is falling. We’ve got to stay level.”

His words echo a sentiment that championship-caliber teams often express. The 2020 Dodgers didn’t start the season on fire. Neither did the 2019 Nationals, who were famously under .500 in May before rallying to win the World Series.

The point? Baseball seasons evolve. Teams grow. Roles become clearer. And sometimes, early adversity lays the foundation for future resilience.

Looking Ahead: Reasons for Optimism

Despite the slow start, there are several reasons for Dodgers fans to remain optimistic:

1. Shohei Ohtani’s Bat – Ohtani has looked every bit like the offensive juggernaut he was in Anaheim. His ability to change games with one swing remains unparalleled, and as the season progresses, his presence in the lineup will continue to generate runs.
2. Freddie Freeman’s Consistency – Even in a slight slump, Freeman’s advanced approach and ability to make adjustments suggest it’s only a matter of time before he starts raking again.
3. Pitching Improvements – Walker Buehler’s return is imminent, and Bobby Miller has shown ace potential. The bullpen has struggled, but Phillips and Brusdar Graterol returning from injury could stabilize things.
4. Managerial Stability – Dave Roberts, for all the criticism he faces, knows how to manage egos and navigate pressure. He’s led the Dodgers to the postseason every year he’s been in charge.
5. Veteran Leadership – From Hernández and Freeman to Betts and Ohtani, this roster is filled with professionals who know how to win.

The Dodgers are not the type of team that will unravel after a two-week stretch of poor baseball. They’re built to endure and adapt.

A Cultural Cornerstone

Hernández’s role goes beyond his stats. He embodies the Dodgers’ culture — fun, loose, but focused. He brings energy to the dugout, dances after home runs, and keeps the mood light in what can be a pressure-packed environment.

“You need guys like Kiké,” said Freeman. “He brings the edge, the fire, but also knows when to keep it relaxed. You can’t be uptight for 162 games. He helps balance everything.”

Even when he’s not in the lineup, Hernández is vocal in the dugout, offering pointers to younger players and engaging with coaches. That level of buy-in is invaluable.

The Importance of April Perspective

Baseball’s first month can be deceiving. Teams that start hot often cool off. Teams that start slow sometimes surge late. The key, as Hernández alluded to, is understanding the bigger picture.

“We’re not going to overreact to 14 games,” Roberts said. “We know what this team is capable of. We’ve just got to clean a few things up.”

The schedule ahead offers the Dodgers a chance to find their rhythm. A home series against the struggling Rockies, followed by matchups with the Nationals and Marlins, could be exactly what the doctor ordered. String together some wins, and suddenly the narrative flips.

“We’re not where we want to be yet,” Hernández said. “But we’re going to get there.”

The Bigger Goal

For the Dodgers, anything short of a World Series championship will be viewed as a disappointment. That’s the burden of greatness — a standard the franchise has willingly embraced.

But to get there, they’ll need to navigate the rough patches, and veterans like Kiké Hernández will be crucial in steering the ship.

His “another 148 to go” quote might sound simple, but it carries wisdom born from over a decade in the big leagues. It’s a mantra of patience, belief, and perspective.

Baseball doesn’t reward teams for early April wins. It rewards those who stay the course, adjust when necessary, and peak when it matters most.

Kiké Hernández knows that better than most.

And if he’s confident, Dodgers fans should be too.