The Dodgers Lead MLB in Hitting — So Why Can’t They Drive Runners Home?
The Los Angeles Dodgers lead MLB in average and OPS, but the situational hitting is a different story. We dive into the alarming stats behind the recent slump and Dave Roberts’ 'cyclical' explanation.
It was the story of the Los Angeles Dodgers losing a home series to the Miami Marlins: Where are the bats when runs are needed most? Ahead of the series opener at the St. Louis Cardinals, the Dodgers’ daily notes broke down exactly that topic, pointing out that the inability to knock in runners has already cost the Boys in Blue multiple games.
The Dodgers boast perhaps the best hitting in baseball It’s widely accepted that the Dodgers have the strongest roster in baseball, and why wouldn’t they? At full strength, the Dodgers have future Hall of Famers in Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts, as well as rising offensive stars like Dalton Rushing and Andy Pages . Apr 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) strikes out against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at Dodger Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images It’s no wonder, then, that the Dodgers are either first or second in baseball in many of the most important statistical categories. “The Dodgers lead the Major Leagues in batting average (. 273), slugging percentage (.
452), and OPS (. 802) while ranking second in home runs (45), on-base percentage (. 350), total bases (474) and hits (279),” the team explained.