The Los Angeles Dodgers slept by way of their wakeup name. Freddie Freeman issued a actuality examine to the group after the surging San Diego Padres pulled right into a tie for first place within the NL West. On Wednesday the Los Angeles Angels accomplished a sweep of the Freeway Collection, dropping the Dodgers a recreation again within the division.
It’s the primary time the group has been out of first place since late April, per The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya. In reality, the Dodgers haven’t been out of first this late right into a season since 2021, once they completed the yr a recreation behind the San Francisco Giants.
The surprising flip of occasions even caught supervisor Dave Roberts off guard. “We’re the place we’re at. We put ourselves on this spot. However no, I would not have anticipated us to be in second place proper now,” Roberts stated after Wednesday’s loss, through Ardaya.
Dodgers lose division lead after Angels sweep
The Dodgers held a commanding division lead on July 1, up eight video games on the Padres. LA led by 5.5 video games heading into the All-Star break. And the group maintained a three-game benefit on the commerce deadline.
However the Dodgers have gone simply 15-21 since July 1. They’re 10-14 for the reason that All-Star break. And, after shedding its fourth straight recreation, the group is 5-7 for the reason that commerce deadline.
The Dodgers’ droop comes on the worst potential time because the Padres are heating up. San Diego has gained 24 of 37 video games since July 1. And after bolstering the roster on the deadline, the Padres are 9-3. They’ve gained seven of their final eight video games to take the division lead.
Accidents proceed to play a job within the Dodgers’ struggles. The pitching employees has been decimated and now Max Muncy is coping with an ailment. However LA’s drop within the standings is nonetheless troubling.
There’s purpose for optimism. Three Dodgers relievers are nearing a return. And Shohei Ohtani pitched a season-high 4 1/3 innings on Wednesday, permitting 4 runs on 5 hits with no walks and 7 strikeouts.
Ohtani additionally made historical past as the primary beginning pitcher in 125 years to hit a leadoff triple. However the Angels edged out the Dodgers due to a two-run single by Logan O’Hoppe within the eighth inning. LA is now 68-52 on the season and one recreation behind the first-place Padres within the NL West.