The Dodgers fell to the Cardinals 5-3 on June 8, 2025, as Mookie Betts' hot bat couldn't overcome Clayton Kershaw's struggles and a depleted pitching staff.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a story Dodgers fans have seen before this season. The bats showed flashes of their usual brilliance, with Mookie Betts collecting three hits, but it wasn't enough to overcome a pitching staff stretched thin by injuries. The Dodgers fell to the St. Louis Cardinals 5-3 on Sunday, dropping the series and once again highlighting the glaring gap between their powerhouse offense and their patchwork rotation.
The Dodgers lead MLB in batting average (.266), runs scored (359), and home runs (101), yet their team ERA of 4.15 ranks a concerning 23rd in the league.
Clayton Kershaw took the mound at Busch Stadium and gave the Dodgers a chance, but a two-run blast from the Cardinals' Nolan Gorman in the fourth inning proved to be the decisive blow. Kersh battled for 5.2 innings, striking out six but ultimately allowing four runs on seven hits. The Dodgers' offense, led by Mookie's stellar day, tried to mount a late comeback, but the rally fell short, dropping the club to 38-28 on the season.
The loss can't be pinned on Kershaw alone; it's a symptom of a larger problem. The injured list reads like a who's who of All-Star arms: Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Roki Sasaki are all sidelined with shoulder issues, while Tony Gonsolin and Blake Treinen also remain out. This has forced the Dodgers to rely heavily on veterans and unproven youngsters, leading to the shaky team ERA that puts immense pressure on the offense to be nearly perfect every single night.
Despite the pitching woes, let's not forget who this team is. The Dodgers still boast, without question, the best offense in baseball. They lead the entire league in batting average (.266), runs scored (359), and home runs (101). Will Smith continues his stellar season with a .928 OPS, providing a consistent threat in the middle of the lineup. While Shohei Ohtani had a relatively quiet 1-for-4 day, the lineup's depth is the reason they remain a top contender, even on days the pitching falters.
As the Dodgers leave St. Louis, the path forward is clear: they need to survive until their aces return from the injured list. Can this historic offense continue to carry the load and win shootouts? Or will the pitching struggles finally catch up to them? The upcoming homestand will be a crucial test of this team's resilience and depth.
