Following a strong start to the 2025 season, where their 10-4 record would typically elicit considerable satisfaction, the Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves in a position where even minor setbacks are met with critical self-assessment. Enrique Hernández recently echoed the sentiments of many observers, stating plainly that the team needs to “clean up their performance” after a less-than-stellar road trip.
Despite beginning the year with a dominant stretch reminiscent of their championship pedigree, a recent excursion to the East Coast has tempered the Dodgers’ previously unblemished record. While their 10-4 standing is still respectable, it places them third in the competitive National League West, trailing the San Diego Padres and the San Francisco Giants.
The road trip saw the Dodgers drop three consecutive games and four overall, a dip in form largely attributed to uncharacteristic defensive miscues. When asked about what the team needed to do to rectify these issues, Hernández offered a straightforward assessment.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Lose four in a week, it could feel like the world’s ending
“Not much other than we have a lot of things to clean up,” he said. “We didn’t necessarily run the bases great. We played some sloppy defense throughout the road trip. We had some moments offensively but then we also had a lot of empty at-bats. But I’m not going to sit here and make a big deal out of it. We just had a tough week and today was a nice way to end a tough road trip.”
Hernández’s comments acknowledge the multifaceted nature of their struggles, extending beyond just defensive lapses to include baserunning inefficiencies and inconsistent offensive production.
The Dodgers’ initial eight games had painted a picture of near invincibility, making their subsequent road trip all the more jarring.
Reflecting on this shift, Hernández offered a measured perspective, stating, “When you’re expected to win 162 games in a season and you lose four in a week, it could feel like the world’s ending. But at the end of the day, we have 148 more. At some point, we were going to play (bad) baseball and it just seemed like this was the week to do that.”
His quote underscores the understanding within the team that even the most talented squads will inevitably experience periods of less-than-ideal play over the course of a long season, suggesting that this recent slump is viewed as an expected, albeit unwelcome, part of the journey.