It was the kind of mistake that leaves a mark—not just on the scoreboard, but on trust. With the Dodgers leading the Royals 3-1 in the second inning, things looked calm. That is, until a shallow fly ball drifted toward right field. Then the Dodgers $66 million star backpedaled, hesitated, and misjudged it. The ball soared over his head, enabling a run to score. Then, as if the baseball gods were not done punishing the miscue, Bobby Witt Jr. stepped up and crushed a two-run homer. In the span of two batters, the Dodgers’ lead vanished.
And the $66 million star is none other than Teoscar Hernandez. The play was really bad. As Dodgers Nation said bluntly: “It’s just not a good play by Teoscar Hernandez. Look at this play by Teo here.” And this was not some tough-luck defensive situation either. Doug McKain also could not spin it. “Hits it in the air. Not the easiest play, but misjudges it… and it gets over his head… and it leads to this blow-up inning.” This blow-up almost cost the team the game.
However, the frustration runs deeper than one play. Hernandez’s glove has been an issue since Day 1. His defense has been subpar all season. According to MLB Statcast, he has posted a -6 Outs Above Average, landing him in the bottom 3 percent of all MLB outfielders. As McKain concluded, “Teoscar Hernandez has statistically been one of the worst defensive outfielders in the sport this season.” This is not just a dip in form—this is a liability.
What makes matters worse is the positional decision. Hernández has spent most of his time in the right field—basically reserved for stars with elite arms. Yet, as McKain said, “Just because he’s comfortable in right field does not make it the right decision.” Specifically, when the team has Andy Pages, who owns an elite outfield arm on the roster. “You’re playing a guy that is statistically one of the worst defensive outfielders at that position when you don’t need to,” McKain pointed and that is the kicker—the Dodgers have better options.
Making matters more intricate to defend is the fact that Hernandez’s bat is not red-hot either. Hernandez has had his moments, sure, however, as another point that McKlain highlighted, “He’s not hitting at his very best either.” This leaves the team with a clear dilemma: does the team keep playing Hernandez in a premium defensive position because of comfort and reputation—or does the team make a quick and vital shift before it costs the Dodgers more than just a midseason scare?
As the team continues to stack wins, the margin for error gets smaller. This was not related to one error. It was related to how quickly the Royals turned it into three runs. One bad route became a reminder that October baseball does not forgive sloppiness.
While the defensive woes have sparked multiple criticisms, the Dodgers are not just dealing with issues on the grass. An emerging concern is bubbling on—one that could have larger implications as October approaches.
Rotation shake-up looming as Dustin May struggles to find his form
There was a time when Dustin May was known as an electric star. However, right now, that confidence is hard to find. Despite a 5-4 win over the Royals, May’s performance stole the wrong kind of spotlight. He lasted just four innings, gave up four earned runs, and walked three. The damage was not just in the box score; May’s ERA climbed to 4.68 and, more importantly, his future in the rotation became a talking point.
Dave Roberts did not sugarcoat it. While he gave a verbal nod—saying, “Obviously, tonight Dustin wasn’t sharp… but he competed and gave us a chance to win,”—Roberts’s tone and body language highlighted a shift in patience. It is clear that May is not untouchable anymore, especially with other stars waiting in the wings. That postgame pause when asked about May’s position in the rotation speaks volumes.
What is truly worrying is the trend. In the last four starts, he has walked 13 batters, highlighting a lack of control that is increasingly difficult to ignore. May’s velocity still pops; however, his command does not. Add the fact that he has already surpassed his innings total from last season, and it is no surprise that physical and mental fatigue could be setting in. For a rotation built on depth, such a shaky outing can quickly move a starter down the pecking order.
In the bigger picture, this is more than just May and Hernandez—it is about how long the Dodgers can afford to wait on power. Whether it is the outfield or the mound, transformation looks inevitable. The only question now is: will it come in time?
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