Last week, the Dodgers had a tough time at the plate.
However, in the fourth inning on Saturday, they rediscovered their rhythm.
With a six-run explosion fueled by solid at-bats, timely hits, and that relentless attitude they aspire to embody this season, the Dodgers scored perhaps their finest inning yet, overcoming an early deficit to clinch a 12-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs.
Before Saturday, the Dodgers had lost five of their last seven games, primarily due to their lackluster hitting.
During that stretch, they managed to score four or more runs only twice. Frustration was palpable, with poor performances from key players like Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Kyle Tucker, and Teoscar Hernandez. I mean, it was so frustrating that Freeman and Ohtani even shared a light-hearted moment in the players’ parking lot before the game.
“Can you take a hit today?” Freeman joked.
Looks like they could. They found their groove.
After trailing 2-0 early on, Max Muncy sparked the offense with a two-run home run in the third inning off Cubs pitcher Colin Ray.
But it was the fourth inning that sealed the game, as they turned a 3-2 deficit into a commanding lead with six hits, two walks, and a total of 11 batters coming to the plate.
Hyesung Kim kicked things off with a one-out single, and Alex Freeland followed with an RBI double, launching a fly ball over Ian Happ in left field. After Ohtani walked, Freeman delivered the game-winning hit with a line drive. Hernandez then sealed the inning with an infield hit that came with two outs and a runner at second base.
Dalton Rushing and Andy Pages followed up with RBIs, making it the most prolific inning for the Dodgers this season.
This offensive surge helped ease the pressure off Aki Sasaki, who, despite giving up four runs in over five innings, displayed better control with his fastball and an almost revamped splitter. It seemed to have more speed and spin than usual.
For the first time this season, Sasaki pitched six innings, which might indicate he’s starting to find his footing.
The bullpen rebounded from a shaky outing on Friday, managing to escape a loaded sixth inning without damage, thanks to two strikeouts by Jack Dryer and an inning-ending groundout by Will Klein.
The Dodgers added four more runs in the following half-inning, highlighted by Pages’ bases-loaded double that really opened things up.
Suddenly, the league-leading offense appeared to be back in business.
What does this mean for the Dodgers?
So far, they’ve managed to avoid what would’ve been their third consecutive losing series, including last week’s disheartening four-game losing streak against the Colorado Rockies.
While still in second place in the National League West—half a game behind the San Diego Padres—they’ve reaffirmed their standing as one of baseball’s top offensive teams.
Despite recent struggles, they lead the majors with a .281 batting average, .831 OPS, and 44 home runs.
Every starting player contributed with at least one hit on Saturday. Aside from Freeman and Tucker, most reached safely at least twice, totaling seven hits in 16 at-bats with runners in scoring position.
Now let’s look at the lower halves of the lineup.
Kim is having a remarkable season since his return, raising his average to .357 with two hits in five at-bats.
Freeland, who struggled early, is also finding his stride with two doubles in four days, batting .375 over his last six games.
On the flip side, Muncy and Will Smith are dealing with injuries.
Smith missed time due to a back strain but is expected to return Sunday.
Muncy reported feeling “a little off” and was pulled after his third at-bat. Still, he managed to hit for power, leading the team with nine home runs, including one that wasn’t a solo shot for the first time this season.
Looking ahead, the deciding game of the series is set for Sunday afternoon at Chavez Ravine. Justin Wroblewski (3-0, 1.88 ERA) will take the mound for the Dodgers, while left-hander Shota Imanaga (2-1, 2.17 ERA) will pitch for the Cubs.
