Why Dodgers’ struggles with ABS, fundamentals are critical: ‘Not a recognizable team’

Nypost · Aug 14, 2026 · 1039 words · By Jack Harris

Postseason Outlook Player Performance Analysis Team Fundamentals and ABS System

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What to know about Postseason Outlook

Welcome to the California Post’s weekly Dodgers recap, where we review the week that was, hand out very official awards and take stock of the state of the season.

Claims checked 13

Techniques found 2

Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

Left0%

Center50%

Right50%

2 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Welcome to the California Post’s weekly Dodgers recap, where we review the week that was, hand out very official awards and take stock of the state of the season.

Why it matters

QUESTION OF THE WEEK What’s up with the Dodgers’ ABS, base-running and general fundamentals struggles?

Common ground

The Dodgers pride themselves on being a smart, experienced, and poised veteran ball club.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Exaggeration / Hyperbole: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Follow-up questions

What new context would change how readers understand this Postseason Outlook story?
Which Republicans are objecting, and are they challenging the policy details or Trump's negotiating posture?
How does this story connect Postseason Outlook with Player Performance Analysis over the next few days?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/08/14/sports/dodgers-struggle-with-abs-challenges-base-r…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 2 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning

Loaded Language 80% confidence

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.

Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Exaggeration / Hyperbole 70% confidence

Overstating facts or claims to create a stronger emotional response.

Why it matters: Recognizing exaggeration / hyperbole helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 13 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

info Single Source 4

verified Verified By Reference 4

schedule Pending 3

help Insufficient Evidence 2

info

Claim 1: “Andy Pages has been the biggest culprit, losing twice as many challenges (14 out of 25 attempts) as anyone else on the team (Kyle Tucker is next closest with seven).”

SINGLE SOURCE

The claim is explicitly stated in one web search result from 'Amed Post', but no other independent sources corroborate these specific numbers (14 out of 25) or the comparison to Kyle Tucker.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The following is a list of events affecting Philippine television in 2020. Events listed include television show debuts, finales, cancellations, and channel launches, closures and rebrandings, as well…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_in_Philippine_television

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The following is a list of events affecting Philippine television in 2024. Events listed include television show debuts, finales, cancellations, and channel launches, closures and rebrandings, as well…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_in_Philippine_television

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The following is a list of events affecting Philippine television in 2025. Events listed include television show debuts, finales, cancellations, and channel launches, closures and rebrandings, as well…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_in_Philippine_television

+ 3 more evidence sources

schedule

Claim 2: “His fastball ran up to 96 mph. His trademark changeup got seven whiffs out of 12 swings. And he mixed in all six of the pitches in his arsenal to retire nine of the 11 batters he faced.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 3: “returning to the mound with triple-A Oklahoma City on Aug. 6 (for a brief 1 ⅔ innings reintroduction)”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

verified

Claim 4: “Mookie Betts (6-for-18, 2 home runs, 2 doubles, 3 RBIs this week; .239 average, 15 home runs, 39 RBIs, .712 OPS this season)”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

No provided evidence contains the specific statistical breakdown (6-for-18, .239 average, etc.) for Mookie Betts.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2026 Los Angeles Dodgers season is the 137th season for the Los Angeles Dodgers franchise in Major League Baseball (MLB), their 69th season in Los Angeles, California, and their 65th season playin…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Los_Angeles_Dodgers_seaso…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Cody James Bellinger (born July 13, 1995) is an American professional baseball outfielder and first baseman for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cody_Bellinger

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Markus Lynn "Mookie" Betts (born October 7, 1992) is an American professional baseball outfielder, shortstop, and second baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He debuted …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mookie_Betts

+ 3 more evidence sources

schedule

Claim 5: “he led the Dodgers big-league staff in innings pitched in 2024”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

info

Claim 6: “blunt postgame address with reporters on Aug. 4, when he bemoaned that “I don’t even know what I’m doing here” and how he needed to “restore [my] hope-meter in order to keep myself going,” the 33-year-old shortstop”

SINGLE SOURCE

One source ('DNYUZ') mentions Betts needing to feed his 'hope meter', but the specific quote 'I don't even know what I'm doing here' and the date of August 4 are not corroborated by other provided sources.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Essentially, Betts will likely break out of his funk sooner or later, but he might not reach the same heights he had in the past when he was one of the game's most dangerous hitters. Unfortunately, th…
https://dodgersway.com/mookie-betts-disastrous-season-for-do…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Dodgers star Mookie Betts has dealt with struggles both on and off the field this season. Here's what you need to know about his ongoing slump.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/dodgers/2025/08/04…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — They need Betts to keep feeding his “hope meter.”He’s a scratch-level bowler who made a virtually unprecedented shift from right field to shortstop in Year 11. There’s not a lot Betts hasn’t been able…
https://dnyuz.com/2026/08/16/the-dodgers-need-mookie-to-be-m…

help

Claim 7: “Gavin Stone (3 innings, 1 run, 5 strikeouts in triple-A this week)”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was found for this claim in the provided search results.

verified

Claim 8: “On Monday, he burned a challenge in the third inning on the first pitch of one at-bat, then couldn’t challenge a clearly incorrect called third strike later in the sixth because the club had exhausted both of its ABS appeals already.”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

The provided evidence includes general mentions of ABS challenges and Andy Pages' hitting, but nothing specifically describing the sequence of events on a Monday involving a third-inning challenge and a sixth-inning called strike.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The fifth season of Ang Probinsyano, a Philippine action drama television series, premiered on March 15, 2018, on ABS-CBN's Primetime Bida evening block and worldwide on The Filipino Channel. It concl…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ang_Probinsyano_season_5

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Banana Sundae (formerly Banana Split) is a Philippine television sketch comedy show broadcast by ABS-CBN. Directed by Edgar Mortiz and Jose Mari Reyes, it was originally starred by Angelica Panganiban…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana_Sundae

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Doble Kara (transl. double faced or twin faces) is a Philippine television drama series broadcast by ABS-CBN. Directed by Emmanuel Q. Palo, Jon S. Villarin, Erick C. Salud, Trina N. Dayrit and Jojo A.…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doble_Kara

+ 3 more evidence sources

info

Claim 9: “the Dodgers experienced an ABS success. Freddie Freeman turned a called third strike into a ball four walk in the sixth inning”

SINGLE SOURCE

Search results mention Freddie Freeman hitting a home run in the sixth inning and another player (Alex Call) challenging a third strike, but no evidence confirms Freddie Freeman successfully challenged a third strike to get a walk in the sixth.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman celebrates his solo home run with teammates during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Monday, June 22, 2026, in Minneapolis.
https://www.aol.com/articles/shohei-ohtani-freddie-freeman-h…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — The Dodgers got their first extra-base hit of the weekend in the top of the sixth inning with a leadoff double by Alek Thomas— his first double as a Dodger. Shohei Ohtani moved Thomas to third on a we…
https://www.truebluela.com/dodgers-scores-standings/123131/d…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Alex Call successfully challenged a called third strike with two outs, then hit an RBI single. Luis García Jr. got Washington on the board with an RBI triple in the third, and Curtis Mead doubled home…
https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/freeman-pages-lead-a…

help

Claim 10: “Blake Snell (6 innings, 1 run, 10 strikeouts vs Royals; 2 starts, 5.00 ERA this season)”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was found for this claim in the provided search results.

verified

Claim 11: “On Wednesday, Pages again exhausted one challenge in the first inning”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

Evidence mentions Andy Pages hitting home runs in the first inning on a Wednesday (June 6, 2026), but does not mention him exhausting an ABS challenge in the first inning.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Forged in Fire is an American reality television competition series that has aired on the History channel since its season one premiere episode on June 22, 2015 and is produced by Outpost Entertainmen…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Forged_in_Fire_episode…

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+ 3 more evidence sources

info

Claim 12: “recent 15-for-90 (.167) slump he endured in July and early August”

SINGLE SOURCE

Evidence confirms Mookie Betts had a slump and used a new bat to snap out of it, but the specific stat '15-for-90 (.167)' is not present in the provided sources.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — How Mookie Betts snapped a slump at the perfect time. Mookie Betts runs to base after hitting the ball.“I took about 300 to 400 swings today,” Betts said. “I hit for like an hour and a half straight, …
https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2024-09-27/mook…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — PHILADELPHIA –– Mookie Betts has been “back” a lot this year. First, to his disappointing form at the plate from last season. Then, to his former MVP-caliber heights for a few weeks last month.
https://nypost.com/2026/07/20/sports/dodgers-move-mookie-bet…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — For the past three weeks, Betts had battled a severe stomach illness which sidelined him since the final two games of Cactus League. The 32-year-old had lost nearly 20 pounds, but insisted on returnin…
https://dodgersnation.com/mookie-betts-out-of-dodgers-lineup…

verified

Claim 13: “the Dodgers rank 10th in ABS success rate”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

While there is general information about the ABS system and a mention of a 2026 analysis, no specific source provided confirms that the Dodgers rank 10th in success rate.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2011–12 Los Angeles Dodgers ownership dispute was a period of turmoil at the management level of the Los Angeles Dodgers organization over parts of the 2011 and 2012 seasons. The dispute began on …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011–12_Los_Angeles_Dodgers_ow…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Below is a partial list of Minor League Baseball players in the Los Angeles Dodgers system.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Dodgers_minor_leag…

+ 3 more evidence sources

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.