Dodgers end skid, but aim higher as repeat bid rolls on: ‘A lot of things to clean up’

The Los Angeles Dodgers snapped a frustrating losing streak with a much-needed win on Wednesday night, but inside the clubhouse, celebrations were subdued. For a team with World Series aspirations, ending a skid is only a first step. The message from the dugout to the press box was clear: there’s a long road ahead, and the reigning champions know they’re not playing up to their own standard yet.

Manager Dave Roberts, speaking candidly after the 6–3 win over the San Diego Padres, didn’t mince words. “We needed that one,” he said. “But there are still a lot of things we need to clean up if we’re going to defend our title the way we want to.”

A Sluggish Start to a Championship Defense

Despite entering the 2025 season with perhaps the most talent-rich roster in Major League Baseball, the Dodgers found themselves struggling through a four-game losing streak—one that exposed holes in their starting rotation, defensive consistency, and timely hitting.

Yes, they’ve weathered injuries. Yes, they’ve seen inconsistency from players who are normally reliable. But for a team that added star outfielder Teoscar Hernández and re-signed Clayton Kershaw in the offseason, there’s an expectation to dominate, not tread water.

The Dodgers are still above .500, sitting at a respectable 10–7 through their first 17 games. But that record includes more tense games than anticipated, and the losing streak served as a wake-up call in a highly competitive NL West division.

“We’ve got too much talent in this room to play the way we’ve been playing,” said Freddie Freeman. “Tonight was better, sure. But we’ve got to raise the bar. We know what October feels like, and this ain’t it.”

Pitching Rotation in Flux

Perhaps the most concerning aspect of the recent skid was the inconsistency of the starting pitching. Walker Buehler, returning from injury, has not yet regained his All-Star form. Tyler Glasnow, expected to be a top-tier arm after arriving via trade in the offseason, has been electric in spurts—but also unreliable when his command falters.

“I’m still trying to get a feel for some of these lineups,” Glasnow admitted. “It’s a learning curve. But no excuses. I need to give our team better starts.”

Bobby Miller has shown flashes of brilliance, including a dominant 11-strikeout performance earlier this month, but his youth has sometimes shown through in high-pressure situations. Veteran lefty Kershaw, still effective when healthy, has been held to strict pitch counts as the team monitors his usage early in the season.

The bullpen, too, has been a mixed bag. Evan Phillips has held his own in the closer’s role, but inconsistency from middle relief arms like Brusdar Graterol and Ryan Brasier has led to unnecessary drama late in games.

“We’re not playing clean baseball,” Roberts reiterated. “And that includes the bullpen. We’re giving up too many free passes and not putting guys away when we get ahead in counts. Those things have to be tightened up.”

Mookie, Freddie, and the Core Stay Steady

While the Dodgers’ struggles have been frustrating, the team’s cornerstone players have largely delivered. Mookie Betts has been a steady presence both at the plate and in the field, continuing to justify his MVP-level contract with professional, calculated play.

Freddie Freeman, ever the metronome of consistency, is batting .325 and anchoring the middle of the order. Will Smith, emerging as arguably the best offensive catcher in baseball, has been hot out of the gate, flashing power and patience in equal measure.

Max Muncy has shown signs of resurgence after a rough 2024 campaign, while Gavin Lux is finally healthy and beginning to contribute regularly. Still, Roberts wants more from his team offensively—especially when it comes to situational hitting.

“We’re not cashing in runners in scoring position the way we should,” Roberts said. “We’ve got guys pressing. We’re swinging at pitchers’ pitches in those moments. That’s not our identity.”

The numbers back that up. During their four-game losing streak, the Dodgers batted just .188 with runners in scoring position. That figure improved to .294 in Wednesday’s win—a good sign, but one game does not a turnaround make.

New Faces Still Adjusting

Part of the Dodgers’ sluggishness could be attributed to the adjustment period for newcomers. Hernández, acquired to add right-handed pop and outfield depth, has had a slow start at the plate. Though he smashed a towering home run in Wednesday’s win, he’s still batting just .213 on the season.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the heralded Japanese free agent, is being brought along carefully and has shown elite command at times. However, there’s been an understandable adjustment period as he acclimates to MLB’s tempo and batters. The Dodgers remain confident in his long-term impact.

“We brought in guys who we believe in,” said GM Brandon Gomes. “It’s a long season. What matters is how these guys are playing in August and September—not just April.”

Still, with fans expecting excellence out of the gate, the learning curve has been more painful than anticipated.

Defense: The Underlying Concern

One of the most underrated issues plaguing the Dodgers during their recent slump has been their defensive execution. Errors, missed cutoff men, and poor outfield communication have all contributed to opponents putting up crooked numbers.

“We’ve got to sharpen up the little things,” said Betts, who’s played both second base and right field this season. “Championship baseball is about details. That’s the message we’re trying to drill in.”

While defensive metrics often take time to stabilize, early season numbers suggest the Dodgers are middle-of-the-pack in overall team defense—unacceptable for a team that typically prides itself on fundamentals.

Roberts: ‘This Team Has Another Gear’

Despite the early turbulence, Roberts remains optimistic. He’s been here before—managing through slumps, injuries, and high expectations is part of the job in Los Angeles. He’s confident the team will hit its stride in due time.

“I’ve seen what this group is capable of,” Roberts said. “We’ve got leaders in this room who don’t panic. We’ve got young talent coming up. We’ve got veterans who know how to win. I’m not concerned long term. But in the short term, we’ve got to clean it up.”

That mindset echoes what the front office and fans are feeling: calm urgency. No team wins a championship in April, but bad habits formed early can sink even the most talented clubs.

Looking Ahead: A Stretch to Test Their Mettle

The Dodgers will now embark on a 10-game road trip, facing tough competition in the form of the Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, and Arizona Diamondbacks. It’s a crucial test that could either right the ship or expose more foundational cracks.

“It’s a gauntlet,” Freeman said. “But those are the games we love. If we’re going to be the best, we’ve got to go through the best. Let’s see what we’re made of.”

Expectations remain sky-high. The Dodgers aren’t just playing to win games—they’re playing to defend a title, manage superstar egos, and develop young arms like Emmet Sheehan and Landon Knack along the way. It’s a balancing act few organizations can manage with grace.

But this is the Dodgers. The gold standard. A franchise that expects more—and demands more.

It’s April, But Eyes Are on October

There’s no panic in Los Angeles, but there is urgency. The Dodgers are winners, yes—but winning means little if the machine isn’t running smoothly. Wednesday’s victory was a moment of relief, but no one’s confusing it for a statement game.

The Dodgers want more. They need more. They know what a World Series club looks like. Right now, they’re not quite there—but they’re working toward it.

“October is the goal,” Betts said. “But how you play in April and May? That sets the tone.”

If this team wants to hoist another trophy, the tone must change—quickly.