After the Dodgers missed an opportunity to sweep the Guardians on Wednesday, manager Dave Roberts addressed recent concerns regarding relief pitcher Tanner Scott, who has had a challenging stretch. Scott has blown leads in three of his last five appearances, yielding a total of 10 runs. Roberts highlighted Scott’s tendency to leave middle-spin sliders in the strike zone, which has contributed to the ball finding gaps in the defense.
In a brighter note for the Dodgers, Mookie Betts achieved a significant milestone by scoring his 500th run with the team, becoming the fastest player to reach this mark in the franchise’s modern era (since 1901). This achievement came during the sixth inning of the series finale in Cleveland. Betts has also adapted impressively to the shortstop position after dedicating a full offseason to his training. Roberts praised Betts for his above-average performance at shortstop, noting that he continues to improve in this relatively new role.
Will Smith is currently experiencing the best plate discipline of his career, and the call-up of Dalton Rushing has bolstered the Dodgers’ catching depth, potentially allowing Smith to maintain his performance over the grueling season.
Additionally, outfielder Eduardo Quintero, playing for Rancho Cucamonga, has been dominating the California League. The Dodgers’ player development head, Will Rhymes, discussed efforts to refine Quintero’s swing for better contact, which has resulted in a more efficient and effective batting approach.
Overall, while the Dodgers face challenges in their pitching lineup, standout performances from players like Betts and Smith, coupled with promising developments in the minor leagues, suggest a hopeful outlook for the team’s season ahead.