The Los Angeles Dodgers have experienced a 2-6 slump within the past week and there are many factors causing their lack in dominance.

Most notably would be the low production with their power hitters. All-star 3rd baseman, Justin Turner hit his first homer of the year on May 22nd, almost two full months into the season. Adrian Gonzalez has been suffering not only with lower back soreness, but also with a .171 home batting average.

Gonzalez is not alone: six out of the Dodgers’ nine regular starters have an exponentially higher road BA in comparison to home BA. Chase Utley, Howie Kendrick, Justin Turner, Yasiel Puig, Joc Pederson, and Carl Crawford are all hitting significantly better away than they are at Dodgers Stadium.

The Dodgers power packed bullpen has given up the lead in many close games as well. The entirety of the bullpen has a 3.00 ERA, while the closers have elevated their ERA from 1.77 in April to 3.33 in May.

Starting off the season with a bullpen that was considered one of the top in the league, the Dodgers are surprised by the slump and are doing everything they can to get things back on track.

So what do the Dodgers need in order to get back on a winning path? Simple, it must start with their offensive production and maintaining their great defensive ability.

If the Dodgers could get their bats going and keep them hot with runners in scoring position, they would be able to run other teams out of the park. The team holds a Defensive Efficiency Ratio of .714, second highest in the National League, and an overall Fielding Percentage of .986. The starting pitching and defensive is delivering but the offensive and continuous bullpen struggles is making it tough to win ball games.

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