This is the lowest point of the Dodgers’ season, as they were swept in convincing fashion by the Phillies on Thursday, 5-1.
WIth many of their starting pitchers injured, the team was forced to go with a bullpen day and it did not go as planned. Anthony Banda held his own in the first inning, giving up one run on a Trea Turner home run, but Landon Knack struggled again.
He replaced Banda and went 4 1/3 innings, giving up six hits and three earned runs. Alex Vesia and Ryan Yarbrough rounded out the rotation, giving up only one run combined over 2 2/3 innings.
With five hits and one run, the Dodgers again looked lifeless at the plate. The top three in the order went hitless with Shohei Ohtani and Will Smith combining for five strikeouts.
The Dodgers are now 55-39 and still in first place in the National League West.
Here are the takeaways:
Phillies looked dominant
The Phillies outscored the Dodgers 19-5 throughout the three-game series and just looked like a more well-rounded ball club. The last time the Phillies swept the Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park was 2008, the last time they won the World Series.
Looking to complete the sweep, Trea Turner and the @Phillies waste no time jumping ahead 👀 pic.twitter.com/Q1Lij5pRZ3
— MLB (@MLB) July 11, 2024
In the bottom of the lineup, there is not even the slightest threat and the rotation is decimated, but their ace,Tyler Glasnow, was not been pitching well even before his injury.
Dodgers in tailspin
In their last 44 games, the Dodgers are 22-22 and only 10 teams have a worse record in that stretch.
While it may seem like the sky is falling, there is a silver lining: it is only July. Many of the injured pitchers will return by August and September.
Dave Roberts speaks on the series sweep and the #Dodgers recent offensive struggles. pic.twitter.com/tgnWVIjLSb
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) July 12, 2024
Even though they have had a mediocre stretch of games, they are still seven games up in the division because of the NL West’s struggles.
Teoscar Hernandez in HR Derby
Teoscar Hernandez was announced as a participant in the Home Run Derby in Arlington, Texas. No Dodger has won the contest so Hernandez is looking to make history. Hernandez also said he will be practicing in Detroit and Dino Ebel will be throwing to him in the Derby.
Teoscar Hernández discusses participating in the home run derby and the keys to his offensive success. pic.twitter.com/5PhKQPPmam
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) July 11, 2024
The Dodgers now travel to Detroit to meet the Tigers at 3:40 p.m. Friday. Los Angeles will send out left-hander James Paxton (7-2, 4.38 ERA) to face left-hander Tarik Skubal (10-3, 2.41).