Dodgers: Three Biggest Disappointments of the First Half

The Dodgers’ 2018 season has flown by after a heartbreaking end to the 2017 season. 2018 like every other season had its high and low points, let’s take a look at some of the biggest disappointments over the first half of this season.

Many positives have come out of the 2018 season, but you have to able to take both the good and the bad. It would be foolish to go into a season thinking everything will be smooth sailing. Luckily the Dodgers have had enough depth and positive performances to somewhat cancel out the negatives and help them end the first half atop of the division.

After all, the Dodgers felt the ultimate disappointment in 2017 falling in 7 games to the eventual world champion Astros. Sorry for bringing this back up, but watching Bregman and Springer go yard off of Ross Stripling in the All-Star game opened up those somewhat healed wounds.

Now, back to 2018. A rough start to the season was cause for worry. They have since corrected the ship and have heated up. Though that is true for a majority of the team that cannot be said for the entire team. Some players have just been flat-out disappointments. In some cases, it is not entirely on them but in other cases, they have nobody else to blame but themselves.

With all of that said let us take a look at the three biggest disappointments during the first half of this 2018 season.

Dave Roberts mishandling of games

Forsythe has been unplayable, but somehow in the middle of his awful slump, Roberts has managed to give him significant playing time all the while hitting him near the middle of the lineup. That is not the only questionable decision Roberts has made.

Roberts is the ultimate motivator, he gets the absolute best out of his players and is always positive. That is what suits him so well to be the manager of the Dodgers. The problem is he can sometimes mishandle a ball game and make some head-scratching decisions. The good thing is that is something that can be learned, unlike his leadership.

The most notable mishandlings have come with the bullpen. To be fair to Roberts, the bullpen hasn’t exactly been lights out anyway, but Roberts has been no help. Roberts always plays the hot hand in the bullpen in high leverage situations. He does this until they eventually fizz out usually do to fatigue.

The fatigue part is largely due to Roberts. Doc has been the type of manager to over-manage.  He has a tendency to pull his starters from a game a bit too early. Which is a problem when you don’t have many reliable pieces in the bullpen. Trotting a starter out for another inning after throwing 85 pitches is not a big deal but it is when Roberts allows it to happen because that is rare for a Dodger starter.

Another big issue has been his lineups. Forsythe batting 5^th is a joke, one that shouldn’t be happening anymore with Machado in town. He has drawn out some very good lineups but he will follow it up the next day with a suspect line up. I understand testing lineups but some of them have been very bad. Hopefully, Roberts will fix these minor issues as the season progresses.

Injuries

This is something that cannot be controlled, but in the end, it is very disappointing. Four of the five opening day starters have all seen their fair share of time on the disabled list. Add to that list rookie sensation Walker Buehler and five reliable starters have all been out at some point with an injury.

More from LA Dodgers News

• Kevin Kiermaier being ‘top target’ to replace Cody Bellinger is bad sign for Dodgers
• Giants laughably sign pitcher that Dodgers absolutely own
• Dave Roberts’ quote about Padres in NLDS should motivate Dodgers
• Former Astro seemingly takes uncalled for shot at Cody Bellinger after Cubs deal
• Dodgers’ 2023 lineup without Trea Turner isn’t as impressive as it should be

The two most frustrating of the bunch have been Rich Hill and Clayton Kershaw. Hill was once again dealing with that lingering blister problem and was unable to shake it up until recently. Kershaw was the same way except rather than his finger it was his back again. Ryu looked like he was getting back into form, but he was halted by s significant quad injury.

In terms of position players, it is much worse. Simply because the best player on the team will be out for the remainder of the season. Corey Seager kept pushing through his elbow issue until finally he couldn’t anymore and ultimately opted for Tommy John surgery which will cost him basically all of the 2018 season.

This was an absolute blow to a team who was in need of steady offensive production. Losing arguably their most reliable offensive weapon was gut-wrenching. It was a sucker punch to a team that was already struggling.

Another player hampered by the injury bug is Justin Turner. He didn’t start the season with the team because of a broken wrist suffered during spring training. Since returning he has just not looked like the JT we have come to know in Los Angeles. He has also been nagged by several other injuries which have not helped him get back into the groove of things.

Next: Dodgers Quick Hits: Machado, Bullpen, Verdugo

Hopefully, Turner can start the second half healthy and ready to play. The Seager news still hurts, but it hurts MUCH less now. Manny Machado will fill in for Seager extremely well, and hopefully, have a tremendous second half helping lead the Dodgers to a title.