Dodgers Way Down on Latest MLB Power Rankings

The Dodgers continue to slide down the ranks.

The Dodgers are off to a non-Dodger like start to the 2023 season. Through 16 games, the team is a very average 8-8. They've looked really good at times, however, they've also looked really bad at times.

The inconsistent offense is a concern, as the team is hitting just .231 with runners in scoring position and has struck out 155 times through 16 games, good for second-worst in the entire MLB behind the Giants with 156.

The bullpen has also been a concern, sporting a 4.76 ERA, which is seventh-worst in the entire MLB.

Because of that, the Dodgers continue to slide down the MLB power rankings. In this week's version of the rankings over at The Athletic, the Dodgers fell down four spots to No. 9 — one behind the Padres at No. 8. Here's a part of what Zach Buchanan had to say:

"The lineup is filled with productive hitters. Los Angeles is even squeezing production out of Jason Heyward and J.D. Martinez,

who keeps talking about

recapturing his “J.D.-ness.” Buddy, “J.D. Marti-ness” was right there.

"Yet, the Dodgers are not doing their usual win-a-buncha-games Dodger thing so far, despite a potent offense and a lethal top three spots in the rotation. Then again, the Dodgers didn’t seem to be trying as hard as other teams to improve this winter, watching as other World Series hopefuls spent wildly."

The Dodgers still being in the top 10 is a testament to the fact that they're still the Dodgers, and they still have Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Julio Urias, Will Smith and more. However, this Dodgers team clearly is not as dominant as the one that won 111 games last season — and they may not even be close.

Hopefully the Dodgers start to find some consistency, and start breaking away from that .500 record. However, if they don't, and these inconsistencies carry into May and beyond, they'll continue to fall down these ranks.