Looks like another top team in MLB has hit a roadblock: the mighty Dodgers. The Boys in Blue are riding high at 56–37 in the NL West, but they suddenly seem shaken. They haven’t just lost one, two, or three games. It’s five in a row. And their ace, Shohei Ohtani, isn’t afraid to call a spade a spade.

The Dodgers are in a tailspin, having lost three games in a row to the Astros and then two in a row to Milwaukee. Their worst collapse in five years has brought a once-dominant squad to a new terrain. And, the question looms: Where did it all go wrong?

In the aftermath of the team’s latest collapse, Ohtani, while talking to SportsNet LA, highlighted the exact problem. “Wanna give credit to opposing team… pretty good pitch in last couple of days,” he said, before adding, “but at the same time, even though if we don’t swing up hits, there are ways still to score runs myself included. We have got to do a better job scoring when they are the opportunities to do so.” 

Well, that’s just on point. And when it comes from the team’s most reliable bat, you know the problem is bigger than it seems.

The Dodgers lost 18–1 to the Astros on July 4, marking a nightmare start. Ten of those runs came in the sixth inning. And then on July 5, they lost 6–4 again, even though Ohtani pitched two scoreless innings. And it continued in the third game, too, where they took another 5–1 beating.

The same story unfolded against the Brewers. This time, they lost the series opener by 9–1 on July 7. And then in the next game on July 8, where they suffered a 3–1 loss, Ohtani’s opening home run was the only bright spot in a. Not only are the Dodgers going through their worst losing streak in five years, they have also registered their worst run differential in a 4-game stretch since 1932.

In these five games, the Dodgers were massively outscored by 41–8. Their bats were stalled and silent. Shohei Ohtani, initially seen as the team’s key to the championship, was left searching for answers alongside his teammates as the losses kept piling up.

Digging deeper, one can say the injuries have played a significant role in the Dodgers’ skid. But the manager Dave Roberts knows that they have to do their best no matter what.

Multiple players on IL, but Dave Roberts doesn’t shy away from accountability

Dave Roberts hasn’t held back through this five-game losing streak. Yes, the injuries have taken a toll on the Dodgers with multiple players on IL. The likes of Max Muncy and Kike Hernandez are out injured, while Tommy Edman and Teoscar Hernandez are also dealing with issues. Their absence means the roster isn’t quite complete, requiring position players like Hyeseong Kim and Miguel Rojas to take on larger roles. Roberts knows there are holes in there, but it’s no reason to justify this skid.

“Shoot, I don’t think there’s a team in baseball that’s at full strength,” the manager told the reporters. “I just feel that with the guys we have, we just have to play better. We’ve got to pitch better, we’ve got to defend better, we’ve got to take more competitive at‑bats. And we’re just not doing any of those things right now,” he further added.

Roberts’ message is clear: LA can’t count on names or reputation to win. It’s not injuries that are to blame; it’s bad execution of team’s gameplan. The manager wants the team to pitch better, defend better, and swing with confidence, regardless who takes the field. And frankly, that’s the only way to win games if the October glory is in their plans.