Want to take a guess what’s really got Dodgers fans talking right now? Despite sitting pretty at 65-47 and leading the NL West, the defending World Series champions have hit some recent bumps that have everyone questioning their championship form. Sure, they’re ranked 2nd in MLB with a dominant .769 OPS and boast one of baseball’s most feared lineups, but their recent 6-4 record over the last 10 games has exposed some cracks in what looked like an unstoppable machine. Well, you know what they say about baseball — even the best teams face adversity, and right now, the Dodgers are navigating through their own storm.
But here’s where it gets interesting. While most teams might be calling emergency meetings and pointing fingers, Tyler Glasnow — the Dodgers’ $136.5 million ace — is taking a completely different approach. The right-hander isn’t hitting the panic button, and his reasoning might surprise you. Tbh, it makes sense when you hear his perspective on how championship teams handle adversity.
The right-hander’s philosophy cuts straight to the heart of what separates championship teams from pretenders. “Yeah, it’s more that I just think like we are very close as a team and talk a lot and like a lot of dugout banter and like we do those post-game meetings when we win and like we’re on the flights like always together like hanging out and so it’s like the conversations happen organically,” Glasnow explained. He drives home the point that forced meetings feel artificial: “Like I don’t necessarily think a team meeting is always the most like organic place to you know what I mean.” Tbh, it makes sense – real communication happens in those unguarded moments, not in sterile conference rooms.
Glasnow’s calm demeanor isn’t just blind optimism -it’s rooted in experience. He pointed to the 2017 Dodgers, who overcame an 11-game losing streak to reach the World Series. “And there’s a lot of like you go, I think in 2017 they had like an 11 game losing streak. Went to the World Series,” he noted. Freddie Freeman echoed similar sentiments recently, reminding everyone that last year’s regular season struggles didn’t prevent them from winning the World Series. Glasnow’s message remains consistent: “It’s just not really something I think we’re sweating on too hard… it’s not going to last super long. You just got to you just go this is baseball let’s keep going.”
Now it’s time for Glasnow to back up those words with action. The stage is set for him to prove that his calm confidence translates into clutch performance when his team needs it most.
Tyler Glasnow Takes the Ball as Dodgers Return Home
That philosophy gets put to the test as the Los Angeles Dodgers return home Monday night with unfinished business, facing the St. Louis Cardinals after salvaging their grueling nine-game road trip. Want to know who’s leading the charge? Tyler Glasnow takes the mound as the Dodgers’ key weapon in their homestand opener.
The right-hander (1-1, 3.38 ERA) makes his fourth start since battling back from shoulder inflammation that sidelined him for over two months. Though he struggled Tuesday against Cincinnati, surrendering four runs and five walks in four innings during a 5-4 victory, Glasnow owns impressive career numbers against St. Louis: 1-2 with a 2.22 ERA across seven appearances. “It’s kind of just trying to figure out what’s best short-term,” manager Dave Roberts explained about recent lineup adjustments.
Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Despite their modest trade deadline haul, the team desperately needs their walking wounded to return for a championship push. The Dodgers added right-handers Brock Stewart and Paul Gervase, plus outfielder Alex Call at the deadline, though Gervase quickly landed in Triple-A Oklahoma City. Max Muncy should return from his knee bone bruise during this six-game home stand, providing crucial offensive reinforcement.
Los Angeles desperately needed offensive help after enduring an 18-inning scoreless drought against Tampa Bay. Freddie Freeman broke through with three hits and an RBI in Sunday’s 3-0 victory, while Shohei Ohtani returned to leadoff duties with two hits, two walks, and a run, helping the Dodgers finish 5-4 on their challenging road swing. Well, you know what? This home stand could be exactly what the doctor ordered.
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