Let’s talk about how the Dodgers can turn this thing around

With a shaky 16-24 start to the season, the reigning National League Champions are in trouble, can they get it fixed before it’s too late?

The short answer is no. The long answer is probably not, but its possible with the regression of over-performing teams and some good fortune. The Dodgers are coming off of a four-game sweep by the Reds, formerly the worst team in baseball, easily the lowest point in the Dodgers season thus far.

When looking at the disabled list, the Dodgers struggles become easily understood. Corey Seager is out for the year, Justin Turner hasn’t taken the field yet, and Clayton Kershaw is hurt again. To recap, two of their best hitters and the best pitcher on the planet aren’t playing. Turner should be back soon, hoping to kick-start their offense, but Kershaw will be out for a while. Combining this with a brief look at the standings, and it would be easy for the Dodgers to give up.

They are in fourth place of the worst division in the National League. It doesn’t seem like anybody is catching the Diamondbacks, who should run away with the NL West. So that leaves the Wild Card as the Dodgers route to the playoffs. However, as of now, they are 7 games back and would have to climb past 6 teams. Some of those teams are very talented as in the Cubs, Nationals, and Cardinals. So the chances are slim that the Dodgers are able to make a playoff push.

That being said, there are reasons for optimism. Despite being 8 games below .500, their run differential is only -1 and they rank in the top 17 for both runs scored and ERA. So, with Justin Turner’s bat back in the lineup, the Dodgers might start winning some of the close games they’ve lost. If this starts happening, they can begin to climb the standings.

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Since the Dodgers are playing pretty well yet doing so poorly, they should stick with what they are doing before giving up on the season. When they do, Yasiel Puig and Logan Forsythe’s expiring contract would make sense to trade for prospects. For now, don’t count on the Dodgers getting back in the pennant race.