Dodgers' Puig on struggles: 'Everyone experiences something like this'

Much like everything involving Los Angeles Dodgers enigmatic outfielder Yasiel Puig, his struggles over the past month have been well documented. 

The 23-year-old has seen his production drop significantly and been held out of the lineup on more than one occasion, as manager Don Mattingly pointed out that he appears out of gas. 

Despite acknowledging his own inefficiencies of late, Puig believes he's been more heavily scrutinized because of who he is. 

"Everyone experiences something like this," Puig told the Los Angeles Times. "Better players than me have experienced something like this.

"If you're the face of the team or one of the more important players on the team, if you don't play well, there will always be a ruckus. I understand it now. If someone else does something, it's no big deal. If Puig does it, it's a ruckus. That's life."

It's been a rapid decline, as Puig is hitting .203/.305/.236 with 30 strikeouts in his last 32 games. 

"I'm not producing for the team, but they're supporting me and continue to give me the opportunity," he said. "They're showing confidence in me and that I'm not alone."

Puig is choosing not to focus on his struggles, as he realizes the bigger picture is to snap out of his funk before the postseason starts. 

"I have to get out of this in the 15 or 16 games that remain. If I don't get out of it now, I don't know if I'll get out of it for the playoffs."