Los Angeles Dodgers need a big first game without Corey Seager

The Los Angeles Dodgers offense has not been all that great recently and took a big hit on Tuesday after Corey Seager suffered a hamstring injury.

The Los Angeles Dodgers were swept in a two-game series against the Los Angeles Angels that was as frustrating as a two-game series could be. Although we should not panic, as it is the team’s first series loss since April, it was painful to watch.

Los Angeles lost 5-3 in both games. In the first game, the bullpen could not protect a 3-1 lead and Joe Kelly had yet another Joe Kelly outing. It did not help that the team failed to capitalize on having runners in scoring position with no outs three times.

In the second game, Kenta Maeda had an unlucky first inning that led to five runs on the board before Dodger pitching neutralized the Angels the rest of the way. The offense seemingly did enough to bring the team back but left 15 runners on base and only scored as a result of three solo home runs.

Tuesday’s game felt like it was a rewind back to the 2018 Dodgers, who could only score on solo home runs and didn’t come up with the big hits. It is just one game though, no reason to panic.

Well, it has been more than just one game. Over the last six games, the Dodgers have scored more than three runs just once. They have scored two or fewer three times.

Corey Seager being out does not help the matter, either. Seager was finally starting to return to Corey Seager form and was hitting .330 in his last 30 games, .411 in his last 15 and .500 in his last seven.

Seager will be out 4-6 weeks with a hamstring strain and the Los Angeles Dodgers are going to need some of the slumping bats to step up and get the offense rolling again.

As part of our Los Angeles Dodgers Beat the Streak series, here is who we think can provide such a thing and get at least one base hit on Thursday.

Jason’s pick (Current streak: 3): Enrique Hernandez

Enrique Hernandez has not been great this season for the Los Angeles Dodgers and has gotten ice cold after having a red-hot start to the season. To be fair, he is still making hard contact a fair amount of times, he just rarely gets on base because of it.

Whether it is right at someone or is narrowly foul, Hernandez has been extremely unlucky with his hard-hit balls. He is due for one of his vintage big nights and has the matchup to produce that big night against Jon Lester.

Hernandez does not have the most impressive batting average against Lester, just .227, but he has found success. He has two home runs and six RBIs in 22 at-bats with a .883 OPS.

Hernandez and Chris Taylor are both going to need to change their fortunes if the Dodgers want to make Seager’s IL stint as seamless as possible. That starts tonight with a big game from Hernandez and a home run into the home bullpen.