Dodgers need 'weakest link' to return to All-Star form ASAP for two reasons

"Conversely, they pretty well need Hernandez in left, and he has been arguably the weakest link of this offense," Miller writes.

But why is Hernandez the one who needs to break out for the Dodgers, and not someone like Roki Sasaki or Shohei Ohtani on offense? There are two reasons, and they revolve around the Dodgers' record and Hernandez's offensive production over the same stretch.

Dodgers need Teoscar Hernandez to break out for 2 reasons

Through April 20th, the Dodgers were 15-4 on the season, and in those 19 games and 77 plate appearances, Hernandez was hitting .268 with a .791 OPS with four homers and three doubles.

In the following 19 games, the Dodgers went 9-10 with Hernandez's 77 plate appearances resulting in a .227 average with a .595 OPS with zero home runs and two doubles.

The Dodgers' struggles this season can't all be ascribed to Hernandez, but there is a huge difference between the team's record when Hernandez is playing well and when he's not.

MORE: Dodgers still have a Roki Sasaki problem

Hernandez breaking out and returning to All-Star form could help two things: His production this season would improve, while likely bringing a better record to L.A., as his splits this season have indicated.

When Hernandez is playing well, the Dodgers play a lot better. When he's struggling, so too do the Dodgers.

If he can break out, not only would his offensive production improve, but he could also lead the Dodgers to a better record and retake the NL West lead.

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