Following a challenging stretch of away games, the Los Angeles Dodgers are set to commence a three-game homestand against the St. Louis Cardinals. The primary objective for the team is to rejuvenate their offensive performance and regain momentum after a period of underperformance, impacting both the team's overall standing and the contribution of their star slugger.
The Dodgers recently concluded a six-game road trip through Atlanta and Detroit, where they managed to secure only two victories. This downturn has contributed to a less-than-stellar 6-10 record in away matchups since late July. A significant point of concern has been the diminished output from Shohei Ohtani, who has been leading off but has seen a noticeable dip in his hitting statistics, correlating with the team's offensive slowdown over the past month.
Ohtani's batting average during the recent road games was a mere .148, and his streak without an RBI has extended to ten contests. Since the beginning of August, his batting average has hovered around .202 with an OPS of .699, a notable decline from his season-high .954. Additionally, Freddie Freeman has not recorded a home run since early July, spanning 46 games, although he has maintained a .318 batting average with ten doubles during this period.
A glimmer of hope emerged for the Dodgers with a 6-1 triumph over the Detroit Tigers on Sunday, suggesting a potential shift in their offensive fortunes. The team anticipates the return of veteran catcher Will Smith, who has been sidelined for almost three months due to a neck injury and is expected to be reinstated to the active roster on Tuesday. Teoscar Hernandez, the Dodgers' left fielder, expressed confidence in the team's ability to overcome their current struggles, highlighting his two-run homer on Sunday as a positive sign.
For the upcoming series opener, left-hander Eric Lauer, holding an 8-6 record and a 4.78 ERA, will take the mound for the Dodgers, stepping in for the injured Roki Sasaki. Since joining the team in May, Lauer has compiled an impressive 7-1 record with a 3.78 ERA across 13 appearances, including 11 starts. However, his career statistics against the Cardinals show a less favorable 2-4 record with a 6.92 ERA in nine outings.
The St. Louis Cardinals are scheduled to counter with right-hander Michael McGreevy, who possesses a 5-9 record and a 3.86 ERA. McGreevy has previously faced the Dodgers twice, earning a 1-1 record with a 3.00 ERA, notably pitching six scoreless innings in a victory against them earlier in May. The Cardinals are currently five games behind in the race for the National League's final wild-card spot as they embark on a demanding nine-game road trip against NL West opponents, which will also include stops in Colorado and San Francisco. They are slated to play 15 of their remaining 24 games away from home.
The Cardinals' road trip begins without rookie second baseman JJ Wetherholt, who was placed on the 10-day injured list due to right wrist tendinitis. Wetherholt, a key leadoff hitter for the Cards, has been batting .242 with 17 home runs, 48 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases over 130 games. There is an expectation that shortstop Masyn Winn, recovering from a thumb injury, might rejoin the lineup early in September. St. Louis recently lost two consecutive games to the Pittsburgh Pirates at home, marking their seventh loss in their last nine games. Despite a 5-4 defeat on Sunday, Alec Burleson contributed an RBI, making him the second MLB player to reach 100 RBIs this season. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol praised other players for stepping up, highlighting Bryan Torres's gritty at-bats in the leadoff position, viewing the road trip as an opportunity for players to demonstrate their capabilities and maintain the team's identity. With roster expansions underway, the Cardinals plan to call up catcher Leo Bernal and right-hander Hancel Rincon.
As the Los Angeles Dodgers return to their home ballpark, they are focused on overcoming their recent offensive slump. With the St. Louis Cardinals also navigating a challenging period, the series offers both teams a critical opportunity to make a statement and improve their standing in the league. The performance of key players like Shohei Ohtani and the strategic pitching matchups will be pivotal in determining the outcome of this crucial series.
