With a batting order as loaded and star-studded as the Dodger’s, scoring runs on a daily basis—and a lot of them—shouldn’t really be an issue. But in the very early stages of the 2026 MLB season, Los Angeles was struggling to do just that.
Following their 8-2 opening day victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks on March 26, the Dodgers averaged just three runs over the next five games. The most potent lineup in baseball, one that features the likes of Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, Mookie Betts and offseason acquisition Kyle Tucker, was not producing at their lofty standards.
But that has all changed.
In the two games since the Dodgers arrived in Washington, D.C. to face the Nationals in a weekend series, the bats have come alive. After scoring 13 times in the series opener, Los Angeles backed it up with another offensive clinic in a 10-5 win on Saturday, April 4.
With the win, the Dodgers clinched the series victory and improved to 6-2 for the season.
Los Angeles got on the board early and often against the Nats. Freeman opened the scoring with two-RBI doubles in both the first and second in what became a 6-1 Dodger’s lead after three innings.
In the top of the fifth, with runners at first and second, center fielder Andy Pages launched a four-seem fastball at the belt over the wall for his second home-run of the series. Pages has picked up right where he left off after last season’s career year, batting .500 with 10 RBI and a 1.349 OPS in the team’s first eight games.
Pages, typically towards the bottom of the order, has been the team’s best hitter thus far, an encouraging sign for the Dodgers given the pedigree at the top of the lineup.
Tucker, still getting acclimated to his home ballpark, has found his swing on the road, following a 3-for-6, homerun, two RBI effort last night with a 2-for-3, RBI, and two walk performance on Saturday.
Another good sign for the Dodgers was Tyler Glasnow’s second start. While Los Angeles was taking care of business on offense, Glasnow did his part, going six-complete innings and allowing just two earned runs on four hits. Glasnow had excellent command of his movement, striking out nine.
However, the feel-good win didn’t come without concern. Betts walked and later scored in his first and only plate appearance against Washington before leaving the game, with the team citing lower back pain.
According to manager Dave Roberts, Betts will undergo an MRI. Roberts believes the injury isn’t significant but likely serious enough that the eight-time all-star will miss some time. Betts’ absence gives 2025 World Series Game 7 hero Miguel Rojas a chance to get some consistent playing time and find rhythm at the plate.