Tootblans, Poor Base Running, Lack of Fundamentals Sink Dodgers at Wrigley

The Dodgers are not a fundamental club right now. They are struggling to do the little things necessary that most clubs do well that help win games. The offense is one-dimensional. They can only score when they hit home runs, and since nobody ever gets on base, they’re always solo shots.

The base running is poor as well. Not only does the club rarely ever take extra bases, move runners over, or steal, they also make costly mistakes that cost them runs. For example they had three base running blunders in their 4-2 loss to the Cubs on Monday evening at Wrigley Field. Two of them were in the third inning, and another came in the fifth frame.

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In the third inning of Monday’s loss they made two tootblans that really hurt them. Enrique Hernandez led off the inning with a solo home run. Then catcher A.J. Ellis shockingly singled. However Clayton Kershaw was unable to move him over. He bunted into a double play. With the inning yet to be over, Yasiel Puig, and Joc Pederson drew consecutive walks. With Justin Turner at the plate, Puig was picked-off second base, and thrown out at third by former Dodger catcher David Ross to end that inning.

Then in the fifth inning, Kike walked, and was immediately thrown out trying to steal second base as A.J. Ellis struck out for a double play. It looked as if there was some kind of busted hit and run play on. I am thrilled the Dodgers actually tried a hit and run play. Why do it with a guy at first base that has little to no speed, and a guy at the plate who struggles to hit the ball out of the infield? Right call, but bad time.

Once again the Dodgers scored just two runs for the 22nd time since May 1. The club got just five hits as they fell to 12-19 on the road.

This club is just not very good as they are currently constructed. The hitters are just not very good, and they are unable to score runs consistently enough to win games. The club is merely average, and nothing more. With the lack of fundamentals, and base running it is no surprise that we’re seeing them sink further into mediocrity. The four game series with the Cubs continues and we will see if the club can somehow start to playing fundamental Baseball.