August 31st, 2019 at 5:00 pm 
by 0799291000348 It happens every season. To be more accurate, every season since 2012.
The Dodgers are closing in on their seventh consecutive National League West Championship and eighth straight postseason appearance with an enviable 88-49 record. But there is also another trend over this period that is of great concern and extremely frustrating.
As the team gets tantalizingly close to clinching the 2019 NL West Championship and their pursuit of a third consecutive trip to the World Series, they have once again gone into a late-season funk:
- September 2013 – Dodgers finishes with a losing record of 12-15
- August 2014 (15-13)
- August 2015 (15-12) / September (15-13)
- August 2016 (15-13)
- September 2017 (12-17)
- August 2018 (14-13)
(Photo credit – Kevork Djansezian)
Thus far in 2019, the Dodgers are well on their way to continuing this trend, having played .500 ball over the last two weeks (7-7), including losing 2 of 3 to their potential World Series opponents the New York Yankees.
When the team has been in a position to win the NL West by playing mediocre ball, they have consistently achieved that goal by lowering their collective intensity, and quality of play; if you will, playing down to the level of competition. Although no one can argue with the outcome, seven consecutive Division championships are extraordinary, for fans who attend games, watch on TV, or listen on the radio, these periods of “funk” are vexing.
Dodgers fans deserve better than mediocrity from a team that has demonstrated they are championship caliber. No excuses. When the game starts, the manager, coaches, and players must be 100% committed to winning – period.
The fans deserve nothing less than the team’s best.
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We’ve creatively lost many games we should have won, but we’re still within a game of the best record… https://t.co/Mvfl7U8OsK
Jansen gives up a key home run in the 8th and the Arizona’s lead became two runs. We pick up one run in the 9th and lose by one. More proof that any role for Jansen is suspect at best.With Kershaw’s and Ryu’s recent performances, the league figuring out how to pitch to Bellinger, Muncy possibly not returning fully healthy,Robert’s decision to keep Jansen as the closer,too much left handed starting pitching if Hill comes back and can start again,,it will be an early exit from post season this year,maybe in the first 5 game series against the wild card winner. We are looking more and more like the Braves of the 90’s. At least they one World Series after 14 tries.We just don’t match up against the powerhouse teams like the Yankees or Astros and will face a tough challenge from Washington,possibly the wild card winner. I hope I’m wrong.
I hope you’re wrong too, but I’m thinking the same way, but for me it comes naturally.