Key Points:
- Dodgers lose 3 of their last 4 games, slipping in the NL West standings
- Strong 8-0 start now followed by troubling losses, including to Washington
- Shohei Ohtani shines with near-cycle after mini-slump
- Ohtani goes 3-for-4 with homer, triple, single, walk, and 2 RBIs
- LA’s offense fading, bullpen struggling, pressure rising
- Ohtani progressing in rehab for pitching return later this season
The honeymoon is over. After a flawless 8-0 start, the Los Angeles Dodgers are suddenly reeling. The Dodgers in crisis after losing streak is the shocking headline rocking the baseball world today, as the reigning champions have now lost three of their last four games—and their swagger.
From White House smiles to Washington woes, the Dodgers went from celebration to slump in just 24 hours. Despite a red-hot night from superstar Shohei Ohtani, LA’s 6-4 loss to the Washington Nationals on Monday night has fans sounding the alarm.
The loss knocks the Dodgers out of the top spot in the NL West, trailing both the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres. And while it’s still early in the season, the warning signs are flashing.
Dodgers in Crisis – From 8-0 to 9-3: What Happened?
Not long ago, the Dodgers looked invincible. Their bats were on fire, their pitchers were lights out, and fans were dreaming of a back-to-back title run.
Now? The numbers tell a very different story.
- LA opened the season 8-0
- They’ve gone 1-3 since
- They’ve dropped games to both the Phillies and the Nationals
- Their bullpen has shown cracks, and the offense is cooling fast
Manager Dave Roberts is trying to stay calm, but the momentum has clearly shifted.
“This isn’t the baseball we’re used to playing,” Roberts said after the loss in Washington. “We need to regroup.”
Shohei Ohtani Is Back—And Better Than Ever
There’s one bright spot in this Dodgers slide: Shohei Ohtani is cooking again.
After going just 1-for-11 in Philadelphia, Ohtani snapped back into MVP form against the Nationals, falling just a double short of the cycle.
He went:
- 3-for-4 at the plate
- Hit a towering two-run homer in the third
- Blasted a triple off the wall
- Singled and walked
- Drove in two runs
- Reached base four times
It was vintage Ohtani. Power. Speed. Patience.
“I felt better at the plate,” Ohtani said through a translator. “But I really wanted to come through in that last at-bat.”
Dodgers in Crisis – Late-Game Drama Falls Short
In the ninth inning, the Dodgers were down two runs. Max Muncy stood on third. Ohtani stepped to the plate. The stage was set.
Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan pitched Ohtani carefully, throwing off-speed junk in the dirt. Ohtani refused to bite.
He drew a walk on a full-count splitter, setting the table for Mookie Betts with the game on the line.
But Betts grounded out, and the Dodgers’ hopes vanished with him.
“Ohtani could’ve chased something to try and get the cycle,” Roberts said. “But he chose the team. That’s who he is.”
Breaking Down the Loss
Let’s be clear—the Dodgers weren’t blown out. But they made just enough mistakes to lose.
- Anthony Banda gave up the go-ahead two-run homer to James Wood
- Matt Sauer gave up a crucial RBI double
- Dustin May allowed three runs (only one earned) over six innings
- The bullpen failed to hold when it mattered most
Meanwhile, the Nationals—who were not expected to contend this year—played with grit and confidence, handing the champs their third loss in four games.
White House Visit Turns Bittersweet
Earlier that same day, the Dodgers were all smiles at the White House, where they were honored by the President for their 2024 World Series win.
Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Clayton Kershaw, and others posed for photos, shook hands, and received presidential praise.
It was a high-profile celebration—until the game started.
“Maybe we celebrated a little too early,” joked one Dodgers fan online.
Ohtani’s Season Heating Up
Despite the team’s struggles, Ohtani is beginning to look unstoppable at the plate.
He now has:
- 4 home runs in his first 13 games
- A batting average back above .370
- A 1.000+ OPS
- More RBIs than anyone else on the roster
And while he’s not pitching yet, he’s also progressing fast in his rehab from elbow surgery.
“I’m feeling good physically,” Ohtani said. “There are limits right now on what I can throw, but we’re getting closer to live BP.”
Rotation Needs Help
One glaring issue in the Dodgers’ recent slide is their pitching.
With May allowing three runs in his latest start, and the bullpen giving up key hits in late innings, the pressure is mounting.
Ohtani’s future return to the mound can’t come soon enough.
Until then, LA will need more consistency from its relievers—and more clutch hitting late in games.
How Worried Should Fans Be?
It’s early April. A three-game wobble isn’t a disaster. But for a team with championship expectations, every slump feels like a crisis.
Fans are raising concerns about:
- Inconsistent offense outside of Ohtani
- Bullpen depth
- Lack of urgency in late innings
- Missed opportunities with runners in scoring position
“We’re too talented to be losing like this,” said one frustrated fan on social media. “Get it together.”
What’s Next?
The Dodgers stay in Washington for two more games against the Nationals before heading home.
If they don’t right the ship soon, they could fall further behind in a loaded NL West where the Giants and Padres are both surging.
But a couple of wins—and more Ohtani magic—could flip the story quickly.
Dodgers in Crisis After Losing Streak as Ohtani Shines
The Dodgers in crisis after losing streak is a headline few expected to see this early in the season. After an 8-0 start, LA has dropped three of four and slipped from the top of the standings.
But all is not lost.
Shohei Ohtani is back to MVP form. The lineup is stacked. The team is hungry. And there’s a long season ahead.
Still, it’s time to stop the bleeding.
Because in baseball, momentum changes fast—and losing streaks can become bad habits if not crushed quickly.
