The Dodgers on Tuesday will play a pair of games against the Mets at Citi Field after Monday's series opener was rained out. It might have been for the best since Los Angeles had lost five in a row and struggled badly at the plate leading up to their series in Queens.
With a couple of games to take in starting at 1:10pm Pacific Time, here are five things we're keeping an eye on for the Dodgers:
1. The RISP thing
The Dodgers are 6-for-47 with runners in scoring position their last five games. They've not had a huge problem getting runners to second or third base, but they have had a major issue driving them in. Spearheading those woes are Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman who are a combined 2-for-14 in that span. They need to be better, and Citi Field on Tuesday would be a great place to start.
2. Bottom of the order
While the RISP issue is certainly at the forefront of the Dodgers' offensive struggles, the back end of their lineup isn't helping. In their last two games LA's 5-9 hitters are a combined 1-for-30 with 10 strikeouts and two walks. It's not a coincidence LA has scored just two runs in those two games. If that group in the back of the order hits at least a little it should help kickstart the Dodgers' scuffling offense.
3. The stopper
Tyler Glasnow is slated to start Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader. He's rocking a 4.24 ERA in his last three starts and his margin for error has been slim because of a lack of run support. However, this is the kind of spot where a dominant starter like Glasnow can have a major impact. He can get LA back on track with a dominant outing where he gets deeper than the fifth inning, which is where his last two starts have ended. A Cy Young level effort from Glasnow could give the Dodgers offense a chance to settle in and put together some good at-bats instead of pressing. If he struggles again and forces LA to play from behind, it won't necessarily help their issues at the dish.
4. Speaking of starters
Gavin Stone has been really good of late for the Dodgers. The scheduled Game 2 starter for Tuesday has gone at least 6.0 innings in his last five starts and he allowed only one run in four of those five outings. The importance of another good start for him is more macro than micro though. Obviously LA would like to see Stone pitch well enough to get them a win in Game 2 against the Mets. In the bigger picture though having him pitching well and adding depth to LA's rotation only makes them more dangerous down the stretch.
5. Stay hot Teoscar
While the Dodgers offense has been sputtering some, Teoscar Hernandez has been very good. Over his last 10 games Hernandez is hitting .344 with a .462 on-base percentage. In that span he has a home run and three doubles with six walks. The stars are going to star for LA, but getting these kinds of contributions from Hernandez in the middle of the order will only help.
