Dodgers Suffer Embarrassing Loss as Julio Urias Struggles Continue

Not the start to the road trip the Dodgers were hoping for with the ace on the mound.

The Dodgers had a rough game one in St. Louis on Thursday, not the best way to start a challenging stretch of games. Although there was a moment of hope when the offense scratched and clawed its way back to get the score to within one, the pitching had trouble holding the score, beginning with starting pitcher Julio Urias.

The Dodgers actually took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, but things took a turn for the worse in the third when Urias fell apart. He gave up 6 runs in the inning, including 4 home runs. The Cardinals' hitters seemed to have a read on Urias, raising the question of whether he was tipping his pitches. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts addressed the thought after the game.

"I hate to downplay what the Cardinals did. It just felt like they were locked in. I know their hitting guy takes pride in that. Julio didn't execute good pitches. They were hitting everything. We also need to evaluate ourselves and look into that, but I can't say for sure."

Their "hitting guy" is former LA hitting coach Turner Ward. A favorite of old friend Yasiel Puig.

This isn't the first time the team has been concerned about pitch-tipping this season, as reliever Andre Jackson was found to be tipping last month in Chicago. However, in Thursday's game, it seemed more like Urias was just off his game.

For Urias, this start continues a troubling trend of inconsistent performances and a propensity for giving up home runs. He has allowed the most home runs in MLB this season, with a total of 14, and his ERA jumped to an ugly 4.39 following his 3 inning outing.

"It's definitely concerning," Urias acknowledged. "I'm not avoiding it, but I need to do better."

The Dodgers cannot afford to have Urias continue to struggle, even more so considering the challenging schedule ahead. They have three more games against a strong St. Louis team before facing the NL East-leading Braves in Atlanta. After that, they travel to Tampa Bay to play against the MLB-best Rays before returning home to host the Nationals in Los Angeles.

Urias is slated to face the Braves in the next game, and it will be crucial for him to regain his form and help the team bounce back.