The New Pitcher and the Persistent Doubts
The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the latest stretch of the season with a five‑game skid that has rattled even the most optimistic fans, a slump that coincides with a roster missing several of its top arms.
When the club announced the addition of right‑hander Tarik Skubal, the move was greeted with excitement, yet a league executive reminded observers that “it’s still baseball,” recalling how teams with star pitchers have stumbled when October arrives.
Injury Concerns Mount
The injury list reads like a who’s who of recent Dodgers starters: Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, both returning from lengthy absences, have yet to prove they can stay healthy, while Dalton Rushing’s right elbow UCL tear casts doubt on his availability, and Will Smith’s neck problem will keep him sidelined until at least mid‑August.
Adding to the mix, Shohei Ohtani’s comeback timeline remains uncertain after knee and biceps issues, even as manager Dave Roberts continues to assure the media of his eventual return, a promise that hangs over the club like a conditional clause.
Meanwhile, reliever Edwin Díaz has made it back from April elbow surgery, but his limited recent outings suggest he is still in the early stages of regaining form, leaving the bullpen’s depth in question.
Despite holding the National League’s largest division lead, the Dodgers’ recent performance has been marred by a string of late‑inning setbacks reminiscent of the Philadelphia Phillies’ sixth‑inning comebacks in the NLDS, a pattern that fuels skepticism about their playoff resilience.
Analysts point out that if veteran infielder Miguel Rojas or utility player Andy Pages fail to deliver a historic moment in the postseason, the Toronto Blue Jays could seize Game 7, underscoring how the Dodgers’ fate may hinge on unexpected heroes rather than star power alone.