Dave Roberts emphasized his commitment to his struggling hitters by stating, “I’m going to keep running them out there.”
The Los Angeles Dodgers hit a low point in the 2024 season with a 2-0 loss to the Washington Nationals on Wednesday, managing just five hits, three of which came from Shohei Ohtani. Despite the renowned lineup featuring Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts, the Dodgers struggled offensively, particularly when their star trio wasn’t performing at their best.
Players like James Outman, Gavin Lux, and Chris Taylor have faced difficulties in producing for the Dodgers. Outman, batting .193 with two home runs, has shown some power but struggled overall. Lux has yet to find his rhythm, batting just .148 with no home runs and two RBIs, while Taylor is hitting a mere .029 with one RBI.
However, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts remains committed to these players, emphasizing their effort and preparation. While the team has called up Andy Pages to bolster the lineup, Roberts plans to continue giving opportunities to Outman and others.
“They’re grinding. They’re in it. It’s certainly not for a lack of preparation. Each day is a new day or effort. Right now it’s just not happening for these guys,” Roberts said. “I hate to make too much out of 40 at-bats. Obviously they’re gonna get better and it’s who we have and I’m gonna keep running them out there.”
With the team losing five of their last seven games and holding a 12-9 record, the Dodgers understand the need for more than just three hitters to carry the offensive load. As preseason World Series favorites, they’ll aim to quickly reverse their recent struggles and regain momentum.
