Dodgers News: LA Exec Believes 'Imperfect Storm' Will Pass
The Dodgers are currently treading in uncharted waters. They have struggled to start the month of June and it has seen them drop down in the NL West standings down to third place. The team still sits with a record of 40-33 on the year, which is a place that most teams around the league would love to be in. To say that this team is struggling is real but only because of the standard that has been set over the last few years.
Pitching has been the biggest issue for the Dodgers this season as the team just hasn't found any level of consistency from their staff. From the starters, Clayton Kershaw is the only starter that can be counted on every time out. Rookie Bobby Miller has been good as well but he showed some signs of struggle in his loss over the weekend to the San Francisco Giants.
President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman sees the struggles but still isn't concerned at this point.
"I get that while mired in this funk, nothing looks very good. And I share that sentiment. But I believe this team is capable of way more, and I believe that will be proven out by us playing better, more consistent baseball as we look ahead. … I think it’s an imperfect storm of some bad luck and us not playing very well.”
Part of the reason the team has struggled so much has been the team falling ill to the injury bug. Four of the five starters on the Opening Day roster are currently on the injured list and the team has seen a rotating game of musical chairs with bullpen options.
Friedman echoed that the team hasn't pitched well but that players need to go out and show that they can perform. Otherwise moves will need to be made.
“We still really believe in this roster and the talent level,” Friedman said. “Obviously, we are way more talented than how we’ve been playing. … But now it’s on us to go out and prove it and show it.”
The Dodgers struggles on the mound have been strange to see. Normally the team wins because of their shut down pitching but this season, they have had to win in spite of it. It's not a great strategy to use long-term and as the season goes on, the team needs to make some changes.
The trade deadline is rapidly approaching and the team has some big decisions to make if they want to be competitive over the summer and hopefully into October.
