Dodgers' Biggest Red Flags Early in 2023 Season

The Los Angeles Dodgers have not looked like the same juggernaut that won 111 games in 2022 and posted a .670 winning percentage the last four years thus far, but they still sit atop the NL West standings as one of the few clear-cut contenders in the National League.

In the midst of a youth movement of sorts, they are still trying to sort out their starting outfield, and the season-ending injury to Gavin Lux has also left the team without an impact option at shortstop.

On a more general level, the team has also struggled away from Dodger Stadium, and that's a trend that will need to change if it is going to make another World Series push.

Ahead we've taken a closer look at the red flags that could stand in the way of the 2023 Dodgers' push for title contention.

Mediocrity Away from Dodger Stadium

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Mookie Betts

Despite sitting double-digit games above .500, the Dodgers have gone just 15-15 with a minus-12 run differential away from home this season with series losses to the Arizona Diamondbacks, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays.

They finished 54-27 with a plus-190 run differential on the road in 2022, so this was not an issue last season, and it's an issue that has plagued some of the team's key players.

• Mookie Betts: 134 PA, .193/.306/.412
• Miguel Vargas: 109 PA, .202/.287/.394
• Clayton Kershaw: 7 GS, 3-3, 4.70 ERA
• Julio Urias: 5 GS, 1-3, 7.61 ERA
• Noah Syndergaard: 5 GS, 0-2, 9.90 ERA

The Dodgers have just 12 road games in June, and their next road trip comes next week when they take on the Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies.

The Regression of James Outman and the Bigger Outfield Picture

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 17: Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder James Outman (33) runs the bases after hitting a grand slam in the seventh inning during a regular season game between the Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Dodgers on May 17, 2023 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

James Outman was one of baseball's biggest breakout stars in April, but his high strikeout rate has caught up to him in a big way and he struggled to a .165/.261/.291 line with 34 strikeouts in 92 plate appearances in May.

The 26-year-old has 70 strikeouts in 201 plate appearances overall this season, and he has quickly gone from standout to potential demotion candidate, leaving a potential void in center field.

Meanwhile, David Peralta (136 PA, .228/.265/.331, 59 OPS+), Chris Taylor (137 PA, .208/.270/.488, 98 OPS+) and Trayce Thompson (83 PA, .147/.301/.368, 79 OPS+) have all struggled at the plate this year.

Bargain signing Jason Heyward has been a surprise contributor, but his underlying metrics suggest regression to come.

Outside of Mookie Betts in right field, the Dodgers outfield is in a state of flux.

A Glaring Hole at Shortstop

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Miguel Rojas

The Dodgers let Trea Turner walk in free agency with the intention of turning the starting shortstop job over to Gavin Lux, but he suffered a season-ending torn ACL during spring training.

Trade pickup Miguel Rojas immediately went from a useful depth piece to the team's primary shortstop, but he is hitting just .206/.246/.243 with only four extra-base hits in 114 plate appearances.

Among 288 players with at least 100 plate appearances this season, his 33 OPS+ is tied for 284th in the majors, and he has been a black hole offensively all season.

A trade deadline deal to upgrade the position feels inevitable at this point, and Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson is an obvious potential target.

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All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference and accurate through Tuesday's games.