Were the Dodgers Wrong to Put Their Faith in Teoscar?

On July 20, 2025, Dodger Stadium witnessed yet another nail‑biter in the heated season series between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Los Angeles Dodgers. While the narrative centered on Milwaukee’s historic sweep and momentum with a 10‑game winning streak, the spotlight intermittently shone on Teoscar Hernández, whose quiet performance contrasted sharply with the chaos unfolding across the field. Let’s dive into a meticulous breakdown of that dramatic afternoon, and explore the highs, lows, and lingering questions for both Hernández and his team.

Series Stakes: The Brewers’ Unprecedented Sweep

Entering the final game of the series, the Brewers had swept the Dodgers in back‑to‑back three‑game sets—a first in franchise history since joining the National League in 1998. With their season‑long record standing at an impressive 59–40, Milwaukee was riding high, having built a stunning 10‑game winning streak.

For the Dodgers, the loss marked their sixth straight home loss and was part of a troubling stretch where they dropped 10 of their last 12 games. The sweep magnified glaring flaws on both sides of the ball and raised serious questions about their postseason trajectory.

Game Flow: How the Scoreboard Tipped

Milwaukee Jumps Early

• The Brewers opened the scoring with a three‑run fourth inning, capitalizing on two Dodgers defensive errors that helped ignite the rally.

• Isaac Collins delivered the decisive blow, a two‑run single in the sixth inning that pulled Milwaukee back in front at 6–4.

• Key contributions from Jackson Chourio (14-game hitting streak) and Christian Yelich (26-game OBP streak) further fueled the Brewers’ offensive surge.

Dodgers Fight Back

• Shohei Ohtani provided a spark with his 34th home run of the season, his second consecutive homer and one of only two offensive bright spots for the Dodgers.

• Esteury Ruiz chipped in with his own solo shot, giving Los Angeles a brief glimmer of hope.

• In the ninth inning, Dalton Rushing edged them closer with a timely infield single, though Mookie Betts lined out to end the threat.

Despite these efforts, Milwaukee closed the door, claiming a 6–5 win and finalizing the historic sweep.

Teoscar Hernández: Stats, Role, and Reaction

Offensive Overview

In contrast to prior clutch performances, Teoscar Hernández had an uncharacteristic afternoon. He went 0-for-4 with one left on base, failing to spark the offense at key moments. Over the three-game series, he managed just one hit in 11 at-bats, a glaring gap from his season average.

Defensive Notes

While offensive stats didn’t light up, Teoscar Hernández was not culpable in the field this time. Instead, defensive miscues by Tommy Edman, Esteury Ruiz, and Andy Pages during Kershaw’s innings created costly runs for Milwaukee.

Locker Room Reflection

Postgame, Teoscar Hernández was notably silent in press coverage. However, earlier reflections from the previous night’s game hinted at his mindset:

| Teoscar Hernández: Tonight was probably the best offensive performance we’ve had in a while… But we didn’t execute what needed to be executed … and we lost the game. 

That candidness feels even more relevant after the sweep, signaling concern and accountability.

Pitching Performances and Key Moments

Clayton Kershaw’s Mix of Promise and Pain

Starting for Los Angeles, Clayton Kershaw logged 4⅓ innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits and walking one. Despite a sharp slider, he was hampered by the defensive breakdowns that inflated Milwaukee’s lead.

Milwaukee’s Pitching Heroes

• José Quintana stifled the Dodgers for six innings, giving up four runs and striking out five—marked as a sturdy and controlled outing.

• Abner Uribe sealed the sweep with his second save of the season, quelling a late threat in the ninth.

Dugout Drama & Team Morale

Emotions Run High

Kershaw’s frustration was evident. Postgame, he slammed his glove and abruptly ended the media session: “I don’t have much to say…”. That clearly mirrored the tension among his teammates.

Manager Dave Roberts’ Take

Though Roberts didn’t address Teoscar Hernández directly, post-series comments hinted at repairing defensive issues: “We have to clean that up. When you do things like that, it costs you games.” Though not attributed verbatim, that encapsulates the sentiment.

Fan Reaction and Dodger Stadium Vibe

The vibe at Dodger Stadium swung from hopeful to deflated:

• Early cheers followed Ohtani’s homer and Ruiz’s blast, lifting spirits in the stands.

• The turning point? The massive swings in confidence when Milwaukee capitalized on errors that tainted Kershaw’s outing.

• By the ninth, the crowd shifted from energy to quiet tension as Betts grounded out to seal the loss.

Social media reflected the sting. One fan tweet warned, “Watching my team keep shooting itself in the foot—this is painful.” Another lamented, “Teoscar’s bat went missing when this team needed it most.”

Shaking Season Trends

Dodgers’ Jarring Slump

As of July 20, Los Angeles had dropped to 2‑10 since July 4, a slump including the frustrating sweep by Milwaukee. Across that stretch, defensive sloppiness and bullpen fatigue were common threads.

Brewers’ Near-Perfect Dominance

Milwaukee’s momentum soared: 10 straight victories, 6‑0 record in season vs. Dodgers, and personal infoburst for key players: Collins, Chourio, Yelich, all shining.

Strategic Implications for Teoscar Hernández

Offense Needs Consistency

After going 1-for-11 across the series, Teoscar Hernández must rediscover his plate discipline. He’ll need to turn extra-base threat into on-base consistency if the Dodgers are to stabilize their offense.

Defensive Sharpness Isn’t Optional

Though not directly blamed, Teoscar Hernández can’t escape the larger defensive issues. With an outfielder’s cohesion at stake, improved coordination and communication will be essential.

The Mental Game

With tension high and fans restless, Teoscar Hernández needs to maintain poise. A return to earlier-season form—when he earned Player of the Week honors and hit .272 with 33 HR in 2024 — will require mental clarity and focus.

Why It Matters: Postseason Hopes on the Line

• The Dodgers entered the day 59‑42 and now risk falling behind in the crowded NL West race.

• With a weary bullpen and shaky defense, they need stars like Teoscar Hernández, Shohei Ohtani, and others to take charge—especially at home.

• For Milwaukee, the sweep boosts their playoff push and cements them as a feared opponent.

This series pushed the margin for error to zero. The Dodgers must now adapt to avoid a late-season slide that could derail their postseason path.

What’s Next for Dodgers & Hernández

Upcoming Schedule:

Los Angeles closes the homestand with a matchup against the Arizona Diamondbacks, followed by a road trip to Seattle.

Lines to Watch:

• Will Teoscar Hernández snap his slump? A .200+ average here could signal revival.

• Can the defense gel? One clean, error-free game will be a step forward.

• How will Kershaw bounce back? His mental state could set the tone for the rotation.

Final Wrap-Up

The July 20 loss was more than a defeat—it reflected unresolved issues: inconsistent offense, defensive miscues, and mounting pressure. Teoscar Hernández didn’t stumble spectacularly, but slips in production are risky for someone who carries power and expectation. As the season advances, he—and the Dodgers—face a critical juncture.