This story was excerpted from Juan Toribio’s Dodgers Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

LOS ANGELES – Hard to believe the 2023 season is already two weeks old. As is always the case, the first couple of weeks are a perfect time for overreactions. So far, there has been a surplus of overreactions pertaining the Dodgers, as they’ve gotten off to a somewhat slow 7-6 start through 13 games. 

While the Dodgers know they must play much better moving forward, Los Angeles was able to do some good things in the three games against the Giants. There’s a lot of season left. With that being said, here are three takeaways from the Dodgers’ first 13 games of the regular season. 

1. Muncy and Martinez in the middle

The Dodgers have Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith at the top of the order. But without Max Muncy and J.D. Martinez putting up at least above-average numbers at the plate, the Dodgers’ offense won’t be able to live up to internal expectations. 

In the four-game set in Arizona, Martinez was able to find his groove at the plate, smacking a pair of doubles. Muncy, on the other hand, continued his struggles in the desert. But once he touched down in San Francisco, Muncy turned into a different beast (what else is new?) and re-found his stroke at the plate, launching four homers in two starts against the Giants. 

With Martinez and Muncy both swinging hot bats in San Francisco, it’s no surprise the Dodgers won both of the games the two former All-Stars started in. The Dodgers are 3-0 when Muncy records a multi-hit game and are 3-2 when Martinez does the same. 

James Outman, Smith and Freeman have been the hottest hitters in the lineup over the first two weeks. The reality is Outman will eventually go through a slump, something that is normal for a rookie, and Smith is still vulnerable in losing at-bats to Martinez. That’s why having Martinez and Muncy swinging a hot bat is critical for the Dodgers. They seem to be turning things around.

2. Freddie's at-bat

It was common knowledge that Freeman was a good player when the Dodgers signed him in free agency a little over a year ago. But after watching him every day over the last season-plus, he might be even better than advertised. 

Freeman has been the Dodgers’ most consistent hitter to start the season. But if you ask him, he feels like he’s still working through his mechanics. On Wednesday, however, Freeman put together one of the best at-bats you’ll see, drawing a walk on the 15th pitch against Giants left-hander Taylor Rogers. 

Rogers couldn’t find the zone all night, which only makes him even harder to face in a 3-2 count. Freeman spoiled a few good sinkers and sliders then casually bat flipped his way to first base after driving in a run with a walk. That’s a plate appearance that could swing momentum in the Dodgers’ favor. 

“He’s relentless in the batter’s box,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “Obviously it goes without saying [that] it’s the best at-bat we’ve had this year. What it did for the dugout and the team, we just kind of fed off that momentum.”

3. Bullpen struggles are a concern

The Dodgers’ bullpen has been a strength for at least the last four seasons, but it’s been a rough start the year for this group of relievers.

Alex Vesia, the Dodgers’ best left-hander each of the last two seasons, has really struggled in his five appearances, posting a 9.82 ERA. His four-seamer doesn’t have the same life it did a year ago. Perhaps that corrects itself as the left-hander appears in more games. Yency Almonte’s velocity is back, which is a good sign, but he has struggled with his slider in the early going. The same can be said for Brusdar Graterol.

But the one the Dodgers need to get right on the mound is de-facto closer Evan Phillips. Through five appearances, Phillips hasn’t looked like the same pitcher that dominated the league last season. Velocity is slightly down, and the sweeper isn’t as sharp. He paid the price on Tuesday against the Giants, giving up back-to-back homers.

On Wednesday, however, Phillips gave the Dodgers some much-needed relief, striking out the side in the 10-5 win. It’s been a tough start for the bullpen, but Roberts has maintained that his relievers are all still working through the kinks. Maybe that’ll solve itself soon and the bullpen can be a strength again.