Why the Dodgers' unsung resilience may be their biggest asset

It’s often said that tough times make tough people, and the 2024 Los Angeles Dodgers may be a team that could channel this toughness down the stretch as they head for the Postseason.

On paper, it would be easy to wonder just what “adversity” the Dodgers have faced. After all, they’ve enjoyed a decent lead atop the National League West and are currently top-five in terms of SLG%, home runs, and team ERA. But, when one considers the injuries and personal setbacks that the boys in blue have dealt with, it is impossible to say that they won’t be able to at least put up a fight against squads like the Phillies and Brewers come October.

Injuries impact every team, but the Dodgers have dealt with some major injuries this summer. Walker Buehler and Mookie Betts have each missed significant time. Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Max Muncy have not yet returned. Emmet Sheehan and Dustin May are out for the remainder of the season, and the bullpen has been shuffled more than once to accommodate nagging injuries to Brusdar Graterol, among others.

Why the Dodgers' resilience may be their biggest asset

Despite all of these injuries, LA’s talent and serviceable depth has allowed them to remain in the hunt. The trade deadline certainly helped matters by bringing in valuable reinforcements, but on some level, the Dodgers who were already in the room have to remain resilient. Mookie Betts has looked solid since returning from a broken left hand, and even hit a two-run home run in his first game back.

This is also especially true for someone like Freddie Freeman, whose son dealt with an intense hospitalization. Freeman missed time, but has returned to fold hitting .345 over his first seven contests back with the team. Now, he's operating with a greater purpose, bigger than baseball.

The Dodgers will not get the credit they deserve for being resilient and resourceful this year. Casual fans will only see a team that boasts All-Star talent, an MVP candidate, and a payroll to match. Such a viewpoint disregards the daunting injuries that LA has overcome, as well as the “mixed bag” that is a 162-game campaign.

There’s no telling what will happen come October, but if the Dodgers can remain resilient and remember what they have already battled through, they could be the last group left standing.