Dodgers Offense Needs Struggling Stars to Start Producing

The Los Angeles Dodgers are teetering on the brink in the 2025 World Series. They trail the Toronto Blue Jays 3-2 after a costly Game 5 defeat.

Their bid for back-to-back titles is in serious jeopardy. History says teams in this spot lose the series about 70% of the time.

Even though the Dodgers had one of MLB’s most explosive offenses in the regular season, they just can’t seem to generate runs on the sport’s biggest stage. What’s actually going wrong for Los Angeles, and how has Toronto managed to flip the script?

Dodgers’ Offensive Woes in the Fall Classic

The Dodgers came into October with a powerhouse lineup. In the World Series, that reputation has fizzled out.

They’ve averaged only 3.6 runs per game and carry a weak .651 OPS. That’s a massive drop from what we saw in the regular season, and it’s happening at the worst possible moment.

The Shohei Ohtani Roller Coaster

Shohei Ohtani gave fans some fireworks with a record-setting Game 3. Outside of that, he’s been pretty quiet.

The Blue Jays’ pitchers have clearly adjusted. They’re throwing fewer fastballs and leaning hard on breaking balls, which has thrown off Ohtani’s timing and dulled his impact.

Key Stars Struggling Under Pressure

The Dodgers’ offensive issues go way beyond Ohtani. Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Will Smith—usually the team’s heartbeat—have managed just a .633 OPS combined in the series.

That’s a steep drop from their .824 collective mark in the regular season.

Bad Luck vs. Bad Swings

Freeman and Smith have hit some balls hard, but luck hasn’t been on their side. Too many well-struck balls have ended up in gloves, not gaps.

Betts’ struggles look different. His contact quality is down, and it’s hard not to wonder if mechanical problems or October nerves are creeping in.

Manager Dave Roberts Faces Tough Choices

After Game 5, Dave Roberts admitted Betts might be pressing at the plate. He’s hinted at possible lineup tweaks for Game 6, but the roster is tight and options are limited.

The bench doesn’t offer much offensive punch. It’s a tough spot—Roberts doesn’t have many cards left to play.

Limited Room for Adjustments

World Series managers often trust their gut or shuffle things subtly to spark a run. But with no fresh bats waiting in the wings, Roberts has to count on his core stars to wake up.

This series won’t turn on a surprise hero. If the Dodgers are going to survive, their stars have to deliver.

Lessons from Historical Trends

Trailing 3-2 in a best-of-seven leaves teams with just a 30% shot at a comeback. The Dodgers have to buck that trend.

They need to break through Toronto’s pitching plan and somehow rediscover the offensive firepower that got them here.

Blueprint for a Comeback

For Los Angeles, survival isn’t about hope—it’s about execution. So, what’s it going to take?

• Early Offense: Score in the first few innings to put the pressure on Toronto’s pitchers.
• Adjusting Approach: Expect breaking balls and swing with more discipline.
• Capitalizing on Opportunities: Take advantage of runners in scoring position—no more wasted chances.

The Bottom Line

Despite their struggles, the Dodgers are still just one win away from forcing a Game 7. Anything can happen in a Game 7, honestly.

Ohtani, Betts, Freeman, and Smith have to step up now. The pressure’s on, and they know it.

Toronto’s stuck to its game plan and it’s worked so far. But baseball’s weird—momentum can flip fast.

Los Angeles has to show their regular-season dominance wasn’t just for show. If the heart of their lineup wakes up, maybe this World Series becomes the story of the Dodgers defying the odds.

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Here is the source article for this story: Dodgers’ offensive woes can only be solved by struggling stars figuring it out