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Ken Rosenthal at Dodgers Nation sounded an alarm on the Dodgers’ readiness for the playoff push, raising concerns about the team’s overall alignment and preparation heading into the final month of the regular season. Rosenthal’s warning adds to the growing sense that fixes are needed before October arrives.

The article builds on recent reporting about the Dodgers’ late-season struggles. We’ve watched August slip away in forgettable fashion, with inconsistent offensive production and questions about whether our core pieces are clicking at the right time. Shohei Ohtani‘s slump has been particularly costly — his MVP case has taken a hit, and the offense has lacked the kind of punch we’ll need in October. Freddie Freeman has been dealing with his own power drought despite staying committed to his approach. These aren’t one-off performances; they’re patterns that need correcting now.

The bullpen situation remains fluid too. Roki Sasaki‘s blister issue forced an IL stint, and there’s been talk of weighing another move to bolster the relief corps. Meanwhile, the expanded September roster gives us flexibility to evaluate options, but execution is what matters. Will Smith is back from rehab and activated, Dalton Rushing and Justin Wrobleski are in the fold, and Alex Freeland has been recalled — these moves address depth, but consistency from the full group is the real test.

This isn’t panic territory yet, but Rosenthal’s warning is warranted. We’re close enough to October that tinkering has real stakes. The talent is here. The question is whether we can get everyone aligned and performing at once.

Source(s): Ken Rosenthal (Dodgers Nation) | First reported: September 2, 2026 12:25 AM UTC

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