At some point, the gold chain and exit velocity stop distracting from dropped fly balls. The Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t invest $66 million for shaky outfield routines—but that’s what they’re getting. Fans aren’t booing—they’re asking for consistency between the foul poles. Because in a lineup built for October, one glove is not living up to the billing.

The Dodgers just lost against the Houston Astros, and it was a demolition. From the offense who got very less hits to the defense who dropped catches and missed plays, the Dodgers were in shambles. But who is to blame for this terrible loss?

After the game, the Talkin’ Baseball X handle posted a video of Teoscar Hernandez dropping a routine fly ball with the caption, “Oh no Teoscar.”

Oh no— well! That was the emotion of the Dodgers fans throughout the game.

Hernández’s defensive struggles have continued through 2025, and the numbers don’t lie. Last season, his Outs Above Average (OAA) fell to -9, with a Fielding Run Value (FRV) of -11, ranking him among the least effective outfielders defensively.

This year, Hernández has continued to register a below par defensive contribution, with a Fielding Run Value of -7. His reliable .987 fielding percentage masks the deeper issue: limited range and missed plays costing the Dodgers runs.

If he doesn’t sharpen his glove, Los Angeles’ outfield defense could face consequences. Those lost 7–11 defensive runs per season mean fewer outs on routine plays, potentially tipping close games against top NL West competition.

With a veteran lineup and rotation intact, a porous outfield could be the Achilles’ heel for playoff aspirations. The Dodgers must prioritize defensive improvement from Hernández or risk giving away critical innings.

The numbers scream, the fans groan, and the ball keeps hitting the grass. When one misplay becomes a meme and not a moment, something’s gone sideways in the right field.

At $66 million, a little less chaos and a lot more coverage is expected. Because if October is the goal, misjudging fly balls can’t be part of the playoff blueprint.

Dodgers fans are furious after big loss to the Astros

In Los Angeles, patience wears thin when playoff hopes meet outfield blunders. The Dodgers were outplayed by the Astros, but Teoscar Hernández didn’t help his cause—or theirs. His latest defensive miscue felt less like an error and more like déjà vu.

At this point, fans aren’t just counting losses—they’re counting how many runs his glove has gift-wrapped for opponents. And Houston had no problem signing for delivery.

“He’s had a tough year defensively so far. He’ll get out of his funk,” wrote a fan, echoing the sentiment of many. It’s worth noting that Hernandez’s bat’s still booming, delivering clutch hits even as his fielding takes a breather. No doubt he has the tools to get out of the fielding slump as well.

“Teoscar gonna Teoscar in right field. Part of his charm,” shrugged another fan. It’s a reminder that while he’s serviceable, the right field isn’t exactly Teoscar’s natural domain. His best work defensively has come on the left, where reads and routes suit him better.

“Almost voted an All-Star btw,” read one comment. Now, this isn’t sarcasm—it’s the uncomfortable truth Dodgers fans live with. Despite defensive woes, Teoscar’s bat nearly edged out Kyle Tucker and Pete Crow-Armstrong. He’s had a rough year with the glove, but his offense keeps him in elite company. Form is temporary, and when his defense catches up, the narrative won’t be so divided anymore

“This guy supposed to be an All-Star lmao. Almost voted an All-Star btw,” another fan chimed in. The comment stings because it’s true—Teoscar nearly leapfrogged Acuna Jr. and Crow-Armstrong. Despite defensive drops that could double as bloopers, fans almost gave him midsummer glory. But hey, the bombs can’t always distract from butterfingered breakdowns in the outfield

“The problem is the Dodgers no longer have the luxury…” one more netizen opined. And, that’s exactly the issue is now. With Edman prepping for third and Pages locked in, Hernandez’s staying in right—despite the mistakes. The Dodgers built this puzzle, but one piece keeps slipping through gloves and expectations alike. Hernández has had a bad defensive year, and now there’s nowhere left to hide.

While the memes pile up and the fly balls drop, the Dodgers are still flying high in the NL West, with their megastar Shohei Ohtani getting back to his two-way best as well. However, in a lineup that’s chasing the ring, there’s little room for routine errors wrapped in charm.

Teoscar Hernández may be swinging like an All-Star, but he’s not doing justifying his spot with the glove. And unless something changes soon, October might not wait for him to catch up.