{"id":54437,"date":"2025-06-08T08:16:34","date_gmt":"2025-06-08T08:16:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=54437"},"modified":"2025-06-08T08:16:34","modified_gmt":"2025-06-08T08:16:34","slug":"dodgers-dave-roberts-makes-brutal-small-margin-admission-after-loss-to-cardinals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=54437","title":{"rendered":"Dodgers\u2019 Dave Roberts makes brutal \u2018small margin\u2019 admission after loss to Cardinals"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts speaks on the team’s recent struggles following their walk-off loss vs. Cardinals<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Los Angeles Dodgers fans are not conditioned to worrying in June. No matter what adversity afflicts this ballclub, it perpetually cruises toward a playoff berth. Talent and organizational savvy comprise arguably the most well-run organization in the sport. The 2024 World Series champions are sporting cracks in their armor, however. There is no reason to sound the alarms quite yet, but Saturday’s 2-1 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals is bringing to light just how mortal LA looks right now.<\/p>\n

The perennially\u00a0shorthanded pitching staff\u00a0is desperate for help, with Tony Gonsolin joining Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki and 10 other Dodgers hurlers on the injured list. So, one can imagine how frustrating it is for the team to waste a\u00a0masterful outing by Yoshinobu Yamamoto. He struck out nine batters and allowed only four hits in six scoreless innings. Despite amassing nine hits, LA’s only run came courtesy of a Ryan Helsley wild pitch in the ninth.<\/p>\n

The team is 1-for-25 with runners in scoring position over the last two games, perfectly illustrating what has gone wrong most in this road series.\u00a0Nolan Arenado secured the walk-off win\u00a0for St. Louis, hitting a high fly ball that landed in left field. Since bombarding the New York Yankees last weekend, the Dodgers have lost five out of their last seven games. If the San Diego Padres can beat the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, they will move into a tie for first place in the grueling National League West.<\/p>\n

Manager\u00a0Dave Roberts\u00a0knows the team\u00a0cannot afford to squander opportunities, especially when considering the massive injury tornado that is sweeping up so many of his players.<\/p>\n

Dodgers have to press on<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cThe way things are going right now, our margin is small and we’ve got to find a way to capitalize on whatever opportunities we do have,\u201d the two-time World Series-winning skipper told reporters after the game, per SportsNet LA.<\/p>\n

Ideally, the Dodgers will be at full strength when October hits, but they have to get there first. Again, there is no need to panic, but the NL might be deeper than fans even realized. In addition to the Padres, the Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants and Cardinals are all breathing down the champs’ neck. Although Roberts and his club know how to successfully navigate a depleted pitching staff, the lineup has to consistently perform.<\/p>\n
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