After the Los Angeles Dodgers missed an opportunity to sweep the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday, manager Dave Roberts addressed the ongoing issues with Tanner Scott’s pitching. Scott has faltered in his recent appearances, blowing three leads in his last five games and allowing 10 runs during that span, contributing to concerns about his consistency and effectiveness on the mound.

Roberts highlighted specific problems with Scott’s pitch execution, pointing to the placement of his sliders as a key factor in opponents making solid contact.

“Leaving middle spin sliders in the zone for them to put the ball in play, I think that when you do that, sometimes the ball finds holes or some outfield grass,”

Roberts said.

“It’s something that we’ve seen all year. There’s great strike-throwing, getting count leverage. But just that last pitch to put guys away … That’s what we’ve got to kind of unlock and be consistent with.”

Mookie Betts Reaches Significant Milestone and Excels Defensively at Shortstop

Mookie Betts reached 500 runs scored in just 640 games with the Dodgers during the series finale in Cleveland, making him the fastest player in franchise history’s modern era (1901-present) to hit this milestone. Beyond his offensive contributions, Betts has shown impressive defensive growth while playing shortstop, a position he adopted recently.

After a full offseason dedicated to improving on the position, Betts now rates above average in key defensive metrics such as Defensive Runs Saved, Total Zone Rating, and Outs Above Average at shortstop. Manager Dave Roberts praised Betts’s performance this week, suggesting that the star outfielder will likely remain at shortstop for the rest of the season despite adjustments made later in 2024.

“I would say, right now he’s playing above average shortstop … a tick above major-league average, which is amazing considering he just took this position up,”

Roberts commented. “And he’s only getting better.”

Will Smith’s Strong Start at Bat and Catching Depth Bolstered by Call-Up

Dodgers catcher Will Smith has demonstrated his best plate discipline of his major league career this season, signaling a promising start at the plate. His progress has been noted by analysts such as Jay Jaffe of FanGraphs, who also pointed out that the recent promotion of Dalton Rushing to the major league roster improves the Dodgers’ catching depth and allows the team to manage Smith’s workload, helping to keep him fresh through the long season.

Prospect Eduardo Quintero Makes Progress with Swing Adjustments in California League

Rancho Cucamonga outfielder Eduardo Quintero has been excelling in the California League this season, displaying encouraging offensive development. Dodgers player development head Will Rhymes described recent changes to Quintero’s swing mechanics, aimed at improving efficiency and ball trajectory.

“It always appeared like he was swinging down a little bit, and he would really hit some low bullets to the opposite field,”

Rhymes said.

“And that’s something that obviously is a great foundation, but we wanted him to be able to get behind the ball better get it off the ground some. I think that has been a byproduct of making the swing more efficient, as opposed to something we were going after or messaging.”

Looking Ahead: Challenges for Scott and Continued Growth for Dodgers’ Key Players

Tanner Scott’s recent pitching struggles present an ongoing challenge for the Dodgers bullpen, highlighting the need for adjustments to regain stability and confidence late in games. Meanwhile, Mookie Betts’s remarkable transition to shortstop and Will Smith’s impressive start at the plate provide bright spots for the team as they navigate the demands of the season. With prospects like Eduardo Quintero improving their approach and skills in the minor leagues, the Dodgers are building depth that could support sustained success beyond current hurdles.