ST. LOUIS — The Dodgers’ offense isn’t completely sorted out yet.
But for at least one day, it felt a bit better than it has in recent times.
For the first time in almost a week, the Dodgers managed to score on a Sunday, giving an opposing starter at least three runs—and, oh yes, actually won the game. They defeated the Cardinals 4-1, snapping a four-game losing streak and avoiding a series sweep at Busch Stadium.
This wasn’t exactly a flawless performance.
The Dodgers (21 wins, 13 losses) haven’t hit a home run in six games. They were turned into four double plays again on Sunday. In fact, during their last 12 games, they haven’t scored more than five runs in nine of those games.
However, aided by another strong start from left-hander Justin Robleski, who pitched six scoreless innings without registering a strikeout and lowered his ERA to 1.25, the Dodgers found a way to get the job done offensively.
Most of their runs came against familiar territory in Dustin May, the former Dodgers right-hander who joined St. Louis after being traded last season.
The game kicked off with second-inning doubles from Kyle Tucker and Andy Pages. They capitalized on an error and a dropped curveball to get their first hit of the day, followed by an RBI single from Kim Hye-sung.
In the fifth inning, Kim started another rally with an infield hit, scoring on Freddie Freeman’s two-out single. Freeman had been down 0-2 in the count before that hit.
That should provide enough of a cushion for Wrobleski, as he became the first Dodgers pitcher since Mike Morgan in 1991 to throw six shutout innings without a strikeout.
After that, Will Kleinen, Blake Treinen, and Tanner Scott handled the last three innings, with Alex Cole sealing the game with a pinch-hit RBI single in the ninth inning, finally ending the Dodgers’ losing streak.
What it means
Manager Dave Roberts referred to Sunday as a “gut check” moment, indicating, “It’s not a must-win game, but it’s one we needed to find a way to win.”
That’s indeed how the game played out.
While the Dodgers still haven’t shown their power-hitting potential and are going through their longest home run drought since 2014, their key hitters weren’t producing much either. Freeman, Tucker, Shohei Ohtani, and Teoscar Hernandez combined for just 3-for-14 with one walk on Sunday.
But they executed enough essential plays to secure the win—three hits with runners in scoring position and a crucial defensive play by catcher Dalton Rushing when the Cardinals attempted a double steal in the second inning.
As Roberts put it, “We’ve got to find a way to win games, whatever it takes.”
Who is hot
Wrobleski started off solidly, as usual.
The left-handed pitcher threw 58 strikes out of 83 pitches, not particularly focused on strikeouts—only four swings-and-misses—preferring to pitch for contact instead. He scattered six singles and one walk while avoiding any serious trouble.
Since 2017, the only MLB pitcher to have had a similar game—going six scoreless innings without striking out anyone—was Jose Quintana in 2024. This is somewhat fitting since Wrobleski has picked up a crafty pitching style reminiscent of Quintana and has seen excellent results early this season.
Over his five starts, he’s allowed only two runs in 32 innings, tallying just 13 strikeouts but sporting an impressive ERA of 0.56.
This performance could play a significant role for the 25-year-old, especially with Blake Snell nearing a return from injury (he pitched four innings in a rehab start on Sunday). Though there’s a possibility Wrobleski could be moved back to the bullpen as a multi-inning relief option, his recent displays make it seem unlikely. Sunday was yet another example of his effectiveness.
Who is not?
As for roster changes, Mookie Betts is anticipated to return shortly from his torticollis strain.
That means someone from the current lineup will have to go. And lately, Alex Freeland appears to be the one in the spotlight.
Freeland went 0-for-3 as the ninth batter on Sunday, but he had recorded six hits the week prior. Now he’s sitting at just 3-for-3 in his last 15 at-bats, bringing his season average to .232 with an OPS of .606.
To the next
The Dodgers head to Houston to kick off a three-game series against the Astros on Monday night, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2 wins, 2 losses, ERA 2.87) taking the mound.
