4 takeaways from the Dodgers' up-and-down first week of the 2023 season

Offensive inconsistency is still a problem for Dodgers

Through the Dodgers' first six games, L.A. owns the second-best run differential in MLB at +25, and only trail the Rays by a single run for the No. 1 spot. However, the Dodgers still managed to lose two games, despite putting up a league best 38 runs (6.3 runs per game) over the first six games of the season. So, how can you have great pitching (the Dodgers' team ERA is 2.17, fourth in MLB) and great hitting, yet still end up with a 4-2 record? One word: inconsistency.

While the Dodgers' offensive production has been strong, one thing it definitely has not been is consistent. Both of the Dodgers' two losses were 2-1 defeats at the hands of the Diamondbacks. In their losses, the Dodgers struggled to generate any kind of offense, with a combined .145 batting average and 20 strikeouts (in 62 at-bats) in the two losses. In the wins, the Dodgers are hitting .330 with 30 strikeouts, despite 38 extra at-bats.

This problem should even out over the course of the season, but it really feels like Dodgers teams in the past have struggled with the same issues. As a fan, it is hard to see such a talented team struggle with such large disparities between performances in wins and performances in losses. From the standpoint of the season, however, the Dodgers might want to lean into stealing more bases to manufacture offense like the Diamondbacks did against the Dodgers (albeit the Dodgers do not have a player with Corbin Carroll's speed).