When the Dodgers lose, regardless of the opponent, it rarely goes unnoticed. Every loss is dissected, every decision questioned, and the scrutiny often outweighs the context. That’s the cost of being a powerhouse in MLB. So when they drop a game, even to a team like the Diamondbacks, it’s labeled an upset. With the series now tied, all eyes are on tonight’s rubber match, a decider that carries more weight than just another game in May.
But as the lineups were revealed, a wave of unease swept through the Dodgers fanbase. The starting nine for this crucial matchup has left many unconvinced, stirring fresh debate ahead of a game that suddenly feels like a litmus test. But why? The major heat is on Michael Conforto and Austin Barnes.
Conforto (2 HRs) and Barnes (0 HR), both underwhelming with the bat in recent outings, left a large portion of the fan base scratching their heads. Owing to their questionable performance of late, their selection in such a pivotal game has become a focal point of criticism, setting the stage for a night where both the players and management will be under the microscope.
Tonight’s #Dodgers lineup at D-backs: pic.twitter.com/Teea5NoJGe
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 10, 2025
Well, Barnes, in particular, has yet to register a home run this season and is batting just .220. While those numbers don’t leap off the page, it’s also true that clutch moments don’t always follow the script of stats. For a team leading the NL West with a 26–13 record, perhaps this is a calculated risk, an opportunity to see if Barnes can rise to the moment when the stakes are highest.
On the other hand, Conforto is currently hitting a paltry .135 with a brutal 47 OPS+, numbers that reflect not just a slump but a serious concern for a team with championship aspirations.
And so, fans are questioning their inclusion in such an important game. If the social media threads are considered, frustrations are visible.
Fans are left unimpressed with the Dodgers
You would agree that testing depth in high-leverage situations is a smart long-term move. But it rarely plays well with fans who live and die with each game. Especially with a team like the Dodgers, where expectations are sky-high, any late-game hiccup can feel like a betrayal to fans craving dominance every night.
Looks like a lineup for disaster
— DiEHARDnLA (@DiEHARDnLA) May 10, 2025
When you’ve got a top-heavy trio like Ohtani, Betts, and Freeman anchoring your lineup, it gives the manager a lot more flexibility to take calculated risks with the supporting cast. Especially where there are games like that of yesterday, when the offense explodes (14 runs). Still, the skepticism from fans is understandable. But this might not be a panic moment. Because Dave Roberts knows October is the goal, not just May wins.
Muncy & Conforto need to stay out for a while. It’s not a coincidence that we scored 14 runs when they sat out. It’s not so much that they can’t hit, it’s that they don’t give us quality ABs.
Need to advance the runners? Pop out
Need a fly ball? Strike out
Two on, no outs? GIDP
— Steve G + (@ShinJelly99) May 10, 2025
Leave Conforto aside, fans are concerned about the inclusion of Max Muncy, too! One shared their concern over how Muncy struggles to offer at-bats. While Muncy has always been more of a three true outcomes hitter, his on-base percentage has dropped (.319), suggesting fewer walks and more empty at-bats. Moreover, Max Muncy’s SO rate has been trending poorly (43). He’s chasing more pitches out of the zone and missing hittable ones in the zone. What’s for tonight then?
“Conforto over Outman is questionable.” A logical view offered by one user. Just yesterday, James Outman offered 5 at-bats, just 1 less than Shohei Ohtani. However, tonight, he is dropped! Outman, although only logging 12 at-bats, has shown a superior expected wOBA (.379 vs. Conforto’s .322). So, given the Dodgers’ need for an offensive spark, especially from their outfield, Outman’s data-backed upside deserves more opportunity, and he currently represents the more promising option over the slumping Conforto. Ahh, we will definitely keep an eye on how Conforto fares tonight in place of Outman.
Fans are yet to accept that the Dodgers are still playing Muncy and Conforto. “Muncy and Conforto..What a disaster in the making.” But isn’t it too brutal? While both have had rough starts, they’ve proven in the past that they are capable of turning things around. Muncy, despite his current struggles, has been one of the most potent power hitters in recent years, and his ability to hit for power is still very much intact. Remember Muncy’s walk-off home run in the 2018 NLCS Game 3 against the Brewers? He led off the 13th inning with a walk-off home run, giving the Dodgers a crucial 2-1 victory. Probably, that’s what LA calculated this time!
Well, not all fans are unimpressed; a few are confident that the Dodgers can get the better of the Diamondbacks tonight. “Let’s make it our home again.” For starters, the Dodgers have faced challenges at Chase Field, with notable games such as in 2018, when the Diamondbacks defeated the Dodgers 8-7 in the longest game by time in Chase Field history. However, last year, the Dodgers won five of the seven games played there. This year, just one loss, and the team can make the last laugh tonight.
The game is ongoing now. So, we would have to wait and watch if the fans’ concerns are proving true or if the Dodgers can come out victorious in their typical fashion.
The post “Disaster”- Dodgers’ Lineup Fails to Excite Fans as Franchise Faces Ire Ahead of Diamondbacks Showdown appeared first on EssentiallySports.