Dodgers start slow at the plate

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers have gotten off to a good start because they are 4-2, but in spite of a an offense that has been unable to get off to good starts in games.

They have yet to score in the first or second innings this season, and the first time through the batting order through six games have just nine hits in 49 at-bats, with a home run, double, and five walks, hitting just .184/.259/.265.

“We haven’t gotten off to a good start. In a majority of our games, the opponent has scored first. It just seems like the first three innings, we’re not getting much production, and nothing much going on. Then as we get into the game, we start to threaten a little more,” manager Dave Roberts said. “Maybe we get on the road and get a chance to strike first.”

The Dodgers trailed 2-0 in all three games against the Arizona Diamondbacks but managed to win all three. They trailed 4-0 in the first and last games against the Cleveland Guardians, falling to score until the ninth inning of both losses.

The Dodgers put up three four-run innings against the Diamondbacks in their first 11 innings of the season, but in the 39 innings since, they only scored 11 runs. Gavin Williams struck out 10 in seven scoreless innings for Cleveland on Wednesday night, keeping with a recent theme. Over the last four games, the opposing starting pitchers have allowed only two total runs, one earned to the Dodgers, with 24 strikeouts in 22 innings.

“The amount of strikeouts is a little concerning,” Roberts said. “We’re striking out at quite a clip. But I think it will level out, it will balance out.”

Andy Pages had three of the five Dodgers hits in Wednesday’s loss, and is off to a great start, hitting .429/.429/.619. His nine hits are most on the team by far. Freddie Freeman, whose home run in the ninth inning was the only run on Wednesday, and Teoscar Hernández, are tied for second on the team with five hits thus far, through six games.

“Andy’s been great, since spring training. He’s one of the guys who’s carried us,” Freeman said. “He looks great, on both sides of the ball. Hopefully the rest of us can join him on Friday.”

The Dodgers are off Thursday, then play the Washington Nationals to start a six-game road trip.

“Offensively most of our guys are struggling,” Roberts said. “It’ll be good to get on the road, get an off day, and go from there.”

“I think you could talk to every one of us, and say we wish we had a better offensive first week, but I think our offense is inevitable,” Freeman said. “Anytime anyone goes into that box, anything can happen. We have a really good lineup, we’re just not hitting yet. It’s a long season, it’s just the first week. We’ll be fine.”