The Dodgers got the win; however, not everything went as planned at Kauffman Stadium. Against the Royals, what could have been a routine outing became a spotlight moment for all the wrong reasons.
Dustin May, once again, found himself in damage control. He took the field in Kansas City with something to prove; however, four innings, four earned runs, and three walks later, May walked away with a no-decision and a heavier heart. His ERA climbed to 4.68, and the outing marked the star’s shortest start of the season. Afterward, the 27-year-old did not sugarcoat any disappointment. “It sucks that I had to go out and suck,” May said to reporters candidly, “but it’s a good thing our guys can score some runs.”
The Dodgers did bail May out with a 5-4 win over the Royals; however, Dave Roberts made it clear: the leash is getting shorter. “Obviously, tonight Dustin wasn’t sharp,” the skipper said. “We certainly didn’t help him out defensively… but I thought Dustin did a nice job competing and gave us a chance to win a ball game.” Still, that was not the kind of outing that inspires long-term confidence in a playoff-hungry rotation.
Transitioning from the performance to the larger picture, the Dodgers’ manager doubled down on the intangibles. “He didn’t quit on us. He kept competing,” Roberts added. While that is admirable, the data does not lie. May has walked 13 batters over the last four starts and is already well past last season’s high in innings pitched.
As the pressure builds, so do the concerns. When asked if the star could be pitching for his rotation spot once other starters get healthy, Roberts hesitated. “I don’t know. I really personally don’t look at ERA too much… but there are some bad walks, some pitches here and there,” he said. This type of pause speaks volumes, and in a stacked system, leniency is earned, not assumed. However, while the pitching questions linger, the Dodgers’ offense continues to flip the script.
Max Muncy keeps Dodgers’ dream alive with historic tear amid rotation turbulence
In a series that could have easily gone sideways, Max Muncy has emerged as the rock holding things steady. Against the Royals, the third baseman launched his second grand slam in just three games, an explosion that thrust him into historic company. “I don’t care what records say,” Munchy said to SportsNet LA. “Any team can go out there and give you a hard time.” Yet, the star is making it look easy, batting .251 with 13 homers and 53 RBIs as of Friday. When the team’s rotation is shaky, a bat like Muncy makes all the difference.
The story does not end with numbers. It is about momentum. Muncy’s current heroics have drawn comparisons to none other than Jimmie Foxx, the Red Sox icon and 1938 MVP. Since late May, the Dodgers star has matched several of Foxx’s milestone feats, including multiple 7-RBI games and a string of multi-HR outings. Add that to the Dodgers’ offensive depth, Ohtani launching leadoff numbers, Freeman flashing leather, and it is clear the Dodgers are not just surviving turbulence—they’re slugging through it with swagger.
As questions swirl around the field, the Dodgers continue finding ways to win. With Dustin May searching for rhythm and Roberts sending clear signals, it has been the offense that has kept the ship steady. If the stars catch up to the bats, the team could just turn this turbulent stretch into fuel for October.
`
The post Dodgers Skipper Sounds Off As Dustin May’s Struggles Lead To Heartbreaking Confession appeared first on EssentiallySports.