The Dodgers Need a New Bubble Machine

It needs to be said – the 2018 Dodgers are not the same team as last year.  The spark, the drive, the determination and the passing of the baton in order to win games no matter the inning and no matter the score is simply not there.  If that will to win somehow still remains, the team seems to have buried it deep down like an alcoholic in denial.

The truth is that the team has the talent to win the division a 6th consecutive year and return to the Fall Classic but, for some reason, they appear to have forgotten that they are good enough to win.  One game out of the 177 they played last season is still haunting them and it’s apparent to opponents and fans alike.

Last year, the team began similiarly in terms of their record; however, there has been one important difference – new guys were called up in late April, given the opportunity to prove themselves and stepped up.  Cody Bellinger and Chris Taylor were two of the main catalysts that sparked the team last season, prompting a contagious energy that “plagued” the entire clubhouse.  They were having fun and it showed.

Teams began to fear them.  The Dodgers could be down but they were never out, not until the 27th out had been recorded.  They hit back-to-back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the 9th that lead to a victory this time last season.  So far this year they have one come-from-behind win, just one.  Many say that it is most likely just a World Series hangover.  That may be true but, even if it is, it’s time for them to stop feeling sorry for themselves, recuperate and get hungry again.

Today’s game is just another example of what has been going wrong with the Boys In Blue this season.  The Dodgers (12-15) had already lost the game in the first inning off a three-run shot by Evan Longoria and were never able to recover.  Yes, Ty Blach has been pitched well against them in his short career but that’s no excuse.  Frustration is beginning to build up and is now starting to show even from the skipper himself.

It’s clear that Dave Roberts is feeling the pressure to perform and knows that something needs to be done.  As for taking out Bellinger (who was 2-2 on the day) in the 5th inning because of a “lack of hustle,” well…you be the judge on that one.

Is the season over for them?  Not by a long shot.  With that being said, there are definitely areas that are in need of improvement – the bullpen in particular.  Yes, Justin Turner is on the DL and, now, so are Logan Forsythe and Yasiel Puig.  Yes, Andrew Toles is currently playing AAA in Oklahoma City in order to get more playing time.  And yes, losing Brandon Morrow and Tony Watson in the bullpen has only weakened the pitching staff, but baseball is a team sport and requires contribution from all of its members.  There are no excuses to be made.

So far this year it just doesn’t seem like the vibe in the dugout has been quite as energetic. In fact, they look like a team that is putting too much pressure on themselves.  What is it going to take for them to turn things around?  Who is going to step up and lead the team to victory?  More importantly, though, when are they going to just relax, have fun and start playing baseball the way they know how?  There is still plenty of time for the Dodgers to find that will to win…they just need to remember what it feels like.

Maybe it’s time to look for a new “bubble machine.”

BakoBoyInBlue