Dodgers offense is bad, but it could always be worse

The Dodgers try to snap their three-game losing streak on Tuesday night against the Diamondbacks, and I have run out of things to write about the offense, so forgive this rambling collection of thoughts and notes.

As bad as the Dodgers' offense has been, scoring just 4.11 runs per game, 10th among 15 National League team, they have actually been worse at this stage in the season recently.

In both 2011 (242 runs) and in 2013 (232 runs), the Dodgers scored fewer runs through 65 games than the 267 runs scored by the 2016 squad. Both of those teams had worse records than the current 33-32 mark, with both 2011 (29-36) and 2013 (28-37) far under .500 at this point.

Since moving to Los Angeles, by far the fewest runs by a Dodgers team through 65 team games is 174 in the year of the pitcher in 1968, 40 fewer runs than any other season. The National League in 1968 averaged a paltry 3.43 runs per game. So far this year, the NL averages 4.33 runs per contest.

The Dodgers are just 14-15 against the National League West this season, which helps explain a bit why they begin Tuesday six games behind San Francisco in the division.

The Dodgers had the best record within the division in each of the last two first-place seasons, finishing 46-30 in 2015 and 50-26 in 2014. They managed to win the division in 2013 despite a 37-39 record against NL West teams, but then again nothing was normal about that 2013 team.

The lineup is mostly the same for the Dodgers on Tuesday night, except for left field, where Howie Kendrick starts instead of Scott Van Slyke.

Arizona added a pair of left-handers to their lineup, with Chris Herrmann at catcher and Michael Bourn in center field. Bourn bats ninth, and isn't the only former Indians player in the news in this series (more on that in a few minutes).

Game info

Time: 6:40 p.m. PT

TV: SportsNet LA