For months, the Los Angeles Dodgers looked like the best team in baseball.
Now, they are in serious trouble.
Over their last 13 games, the Dodgers are 4-9. What looked like an easy path to their third World Series Championship in a row has suddenly turned into a fleeting hope. Cold bats, key injuries and a melting bullpen have quickly put this team on high alert.
Aug 7, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Edwin Diaz reacts after giving up a two run walk off home run by Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt in the ninth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
A Total Disaster in the Ninth
The biggest issue is the bullpen, and it is costing them games.
On August 13 against the Milwaukee Brewers, the Dodgers had a chance to tie for the best record in the National league. They were three outs away from a win with three-time all-star Edwin Diaz coming in to close out the game. Instead, he blew his third save in just four games. He gave up four straight singles in the ninth and the Dodgers lost 5-4.
After the game, manager Dave Roberts did not hide his frustration when asked if he would take the closer role away from Diaz
Dave Roberts on whether Edwin Díaz will still pitch in the ninth in save opportunities.
“Give me another option,” Roberts said. “I can’t just say change in low leverage. I have to have other options and to be quite honest, none of those guys have really thrown the baseball… pic.twitter.com/y7JHvdvXAe
— Fredo Cervantes (@FredoCervantes) August 14, 2026
Great Starting Pitching Wasted
The bullpen collapses are tough to watch, but even tougher when the starting rotation is doing their job.
In the game against the Brewers, Roki Sasaki held the brewers to just two runs over six innings. He did this despite giving up four hits and walking five batters. This was Sasaki’s second game in a row allowing just two runs over six innings that the Dodgers would then go on to lose. In a similar fashion to Sasaki, the Dodgers lost Tarik Skubal’s first game with the team, following his blockbuster trade at the deadline from the Detroit Tigers. Skubal also gave up two runs over six innings but was handed the loss because the Dodgers’ offense could only muster one run.
When starters pitch well and still lose, it drains the team’s morale.
Jul 11, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing (68) breaks his bat on a lineout during the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Cold Bats and Tough Injuries
The bullpen is taking most of the blame, but the offense has also gone quiet.
During this 13-game slide, the lineup has disappeared for long stretches. Against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Brandon Pfaadt held the offense to just two hits over seven innings of work. Prior to this skid, the team OPS was .773, the same OPS as two-time silver slugger Fernando Tatis Jr. During this skid, the team OPS is .695, the same as 36-year-old Jose Altuve. When the hitters fail to score, the pitchers have zero room for error.
On top of this offensive slump, the Dodgers have encountered some impactful injuries. Dalton Rushing was placed on the 10-day-il with a slight tear in his UCL. While he is not expected to be sidelined for the year, his catching duties may be limited. This injury forced the Dodgers to turn to a catching tandem of Ben Rortvedt and Hunter Fedducia while they wait for Will Smith to return. Relief pitcher Will Klein, was placed on the 15-day-il after an MRI revealed bone chips in his elbow. While he has not elected for a similar surgery that Edwin Diaz and Tarik Skubal had to remove their bone chips, if he does choose to, he would likely be out for the season.
The team’s depth is being tested immensely in the final grueling stretch of the regular season.
A Serious Warning for October
Every team hits a slump during a 162-game season. But a 4-9 run for a team as formidable as the Dodgers is a major red flag.
In the postseason, you cannot win with cold bats and an unreliable relief staff. If the Dodgers cannot fix their ninth inning woes, this star-studded roster could be headed for an early playoff exit.