Dodgers Struggling as Offense Falters Against Braves and Brewers

The Los Angeles Dodgers are currently grappling with significant challenges as they have lost their first two games in a series against the Atlanta Braves, both decided in the final at-bat. This trend has been evident throughout August, where five of their twelve losses have seen the winning run scored in the eighth inning or later.

Once the top-hitting team in baseball, the Dodgers have experienced a downturn since July 1, posting a record of 24-23 over the past two months. Recently, they have lost five of their last six games against other National League division leaders, scoring just ten runs in four games against the Milwaukee Brewers and eight runs in their initial two contests against Atlanta.

In their most recent game against the Braves, the five runs scored marked their highest output in five meetings this season. However, the Dodgers have struggled to maintain leads, trailing in 41.7% of their plate appearances against the Braves and 56.3% against the Brewers, highlighting their difficulties in capitalizing on scoring opportunities.

August has been particularly tough for the Dodgers, averaging only 4.13 runs per game, placing them 20th in Major League Baseball. With the absence of outfielder Andy Pages for several weeks, the remaining outfielders have also struggled, with Kyle Tucker and Teoscar Hernández posting disappointing offensive numbers this month.

Despite these struggles, the Dodgers have shown some resilience in specific situations, ranking third in MLB for hitting with runners in scoring position. However, their overall plate appearances while leading have decreased significantly, indicating a troubling trend as they head into a crucial stretch of the season. With four playoff-capable pitchers set to take the mound in the coming games, the Dodgers' offense will need to step up to support their efforts.