April 23rd, 2021 at 9:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka Anyone who follows Dodgers beat writer Bill Plunkett, either by subscription to the Orange County Register or on Twitter (@billplunkettocr), knows that he has a well-earned reputation for frequently asking poignant – if not abrasive – questions during interviews of Dodgers players and especially of Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. But the thing is, like him or not, Plunkett isn’t afraid to ask sharp questions that most writers and reporters avoid asking in today’s ‘kinder, gentler’ society out of fear of retribution (i.e., losing their media credentials). But here’s the other thing; Plunkett is incredibly smart, and his right-to-the-point questions often generate uncomfortable answers from his interviewees … you know, answers that we really want to know.
Following Thursday night’s disappointing 3-2 loss to the San Diego Padres in front of a (COVID-19) sold out Dodger Stadium crowd of 15,167, Plunkett asked this question, verbatim, of Roberts, including a well-earned preface:
Plunkett: “Hey, Dave, I’m going to play devil’s advocate. You say you’re not worried about the offense, but it hit .126 in the last five games, .202 in the last 13. Shouldn’t you be a little worried?”
Roberts: “I… I… I think ah… I can appreciate the devil’s advocate angle, but we’ve got a lot of good offensive players, they have track records to back it up so, again, I think we’ll be fine. There’s always parts of a season where there’s a low offense, that happens. You know, those [Padres] pitchers are pretty good, too. So … but yeah, I’m okay with our offense.”
Plunkett: “That’s what I expected. Thanks, Dave.”
Roberts: “You got it, Bill.”
Did I mention that Bill Plunkett can be abrasive?
(Video capture courtesy of LA Dodgers)
But here again, Plunkett’s question, although uncomfortable for the Dodgers skipper, was right on point and, quite frankly, needed to be asked – abrasive or otherwise. These aren’t random, arbitrary numbers; Plunkett isn’t making them up. Over the past week and despite coming off of a 3-5 road trip against those same Padres and the Seattle Mariners, the Dodgers offense has been awful, with few exceptions.
During Thursday’s game and absent utility infielders/outfielders Chris Taylor and Zach McKinstry who were late scratches due to “lower back stiffness,” the Dodgers went a collective 7-for-33 (.212). Yes, you can certainly argue that two of those hits were back-to-back solo home runs by left fielder AJ Pollock and fill-in second baseman Sheldon Neuse, the first of his brief two-year MLB career, but in the bottom of the eighth inning and the score tied 2-2, the Dodgers had runners on second and third with no outs and failed to score. In fact, they were 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and left eight men on base.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
If Dave Roberts isn’t worried about this, he and his defending World Series Champion team could be in for a very long – and painful – 2021 season.
Play Ball!
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Posted in 
@Dodgers Dave Roberts is ALWAYS IN DENIAL.
@Dodgers There is a bunch of millionaires not putting up worthy numbers.
@Dodgers It’s April. Seriously.
The reason Roberts’ reply was as Plunkett expected — this has been the Dodgers MO for years; a team offensive slump that lasts for perhaps two weeks. And Roberts has a similar reply every year as he knows that over a 162 game season the Dodgers hitters will come around and finish around their career averages, some a little better, others a little worse. What I have noticed in the last week the umpires strikes and balls calls have been predominantly in favor of the other teams. Dodgers pitchers getting squeezed, while the other teams’ pitchers have a generous strike zone. (Call me a “homer” if you like, but some strike calls to Dodgers hitters have been down right awful). What is frustrating for me is that Roberts and his hitting coaches seem unable to help the hitters get through these periods, as if a Laissez-faire leadership style which drives me nuts.
The umpire work has been ridiculous. The one thing they’re supposed to be is consistent. If they want to expand or contract the zone a bit, so be it. It must be done impartially, to both sides. That hasn’t been remotely close to what’s going on.
I’m %100 on board with the robot strike zone. Umpires blowing ball and strike calls should be the last thing to influence the outcome of a game.
Dodgers bats are slumping. It’s early, and luckily pitching has kept them competitive. The defensive miscues are frustrating as they contributed significantly in a few of the losses so far.
In the grand scheme, law of large numbers will apply. Stay healthy, win the division, and be ready for postseason. That’s the MO.
The time is now for electronic strike zone! Actually, it is past due.
@Dodgers Really dont understand why people want Dodgers win all the Game and make a great game every… https://t.co/4NChnMEgSG
I find it hard to tell if it’s the Dodger offense or the opposing pitching, but when they’re not hitting they look like statues up there. I feel confidant, like Roberts, that this will all change.
They have let a lot of first pitch fastballs go right down the pipe. Ordinarily I love the grinder approach, but it must be balanced with appropriate aggression to keep from giving the pitchers too many easy strikes.