Dodgers fall to Cardinals 3-2 on Aug. 6 despite a strong Shohei Ohtani outing. LA's offense sputters again, raising concerns about their hold on the NL West.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was another frustrating night at Chavez Ravine as the Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 on Wednesday. Even with ace Shohei Ohtani on the mound, the offense couldn't find its rhythm, dropping a second straight game and the series to the Cards. The loss highlights a concerning trend for the Boys in Blue, whose bats have gone quiet at a crucial point in the season.
Now 5-5 in their last 10 games, the Dodgers' once-hot offense has hit a midsummer snag, raising questions as they fight to maintain their NL West lead.
Shohei Ohtani did his part, battling on the mound against the Cardinals' Matthew Liberatore and keeping the Dodgers in the game. But the story of the night, and of this series, was the lack of run support. The Dodgers' lineup, boasting stars like Will Smith and Ohtani himself, couldn't string together the big hits needed to turn the tide. The 3-2 final score felt much larger, a testament to missed opportunities and a Cardinals team that capitalized when it mattered. The loss drops the Dodgers to 65-48, and while they still sit atop the NL West, the cushion feels a little less comfortable.
This isn't a one-night issue. The offensive slump has been brewing, costing the team Tuesday's game despite a strong outing from Tyler Glasnow and rearing its ugly head again tonight. For a team built on offensive firepower, the inability to score more than two runs against the Cardinals in back-to-back games is a major red flag. Key contributors are struggling to deliver in clutch situations, and the pressure is mounting for the lineup to wake up before this slump jeopardizes their division lead.
While the team struggled on the field, the front office was busy making moves. The good news came earlier in the week with the August 4th activation of third baseman Max Muncy from the 10-day IL. His power is a welcome return. However, that move was paired with second baseman Tommy Edman landing on the IL with a sprained ankle. In a more surprising move today, the Dodgers claimed first baseman Luken Baker off waivers from the very team they're playing, the Cardinals. To make room, righty Jack Little was designated for assignment. Baker was immediately optioned to Triple-A, signaling a move purely for organizational depth.
You can't talk about the 2025 Dodgers without mentioning their incredible resilience. The pitching staff, in particular, has been absolutely ravaged by injuries. Tony Gonsolin, Roki Sasaki, Gavin Stone, Evan Phillips, and Brusdar Graterol are just a few of the key arms on the 60-day IL. The fact that this team is not only competing but leading the division is a testament to the 'next man up' mentality and the front office's ability to find depth. Still, the margin for error is razor-thin, which makes the current offensive struggles all the more concerning.
The Dodgers will look to salvage the series finale and avoid a sweep at the hands of the Cardinals tomorrow. The immediate challenge is clear: wake up the bats. With the pitching staff stretched thin, the offense can't afford to stay quiet for long. It's a critical moment for the first-place Dodgers to prove their mettle and stop this slide before it becomes a freefall.
