Even after a 2-5 homestand that concluded with back-to-back losses against the New York Mets, the Los Angeles Dodgers entered their off day Monday two games ahead of the San Diego Padres for first place in the National League West.
L.A. is one game back of the Mets for the best record in the NL, but the teams have the same number of losses. The series finale at Dodger Stadium marked the end of the Dodgers going 19-12 over a stretch of 31 games in 30 days.
That amounts to a .613 winning percentage that over the course of a full season is a 99-win pace.
“It’s just ending on a sour note, obviously, to lose two in a row at home,” manager Dave Roberts said. “But the body of work, 19-12, considering what we went through, pretty positive.”
The grueling portion of the Dodgers’ schedule was compounded by injuries to the likes of Andrew Heaney, Blake Treinen, Clayton Kershaw and Max Muncy. A second doubleheader was also added because of a rainout at Wrigley Field last month.
Nevertheless, the Dodgers put together three separate winning streaks of at least three games during the 30-day span. Their best showing was a seven-game winning streak from May 15-21, which is tied for their longest such stretch this season.
Including Monday, the Dodgers have four off days over two weeks. However, June 21 then marks the start of playing 20 games in a row.
Turner: Dodgers will keep pushing
When asked about the just-completed stretch, Trea Turner had a similar viewpoint as Roberts.
“I think this last week we definitely could’ve played better, for sure,” he said. “I think 19-12 is alright for a tough stretch. I think we’re capable of a lot and we expect a lot out of ourselves. But we know things are going to happen, we’re going to lose every once in a while.
“It’s how we bounce back and keep our focus on what we’re doing, and I think guys are levelheaded in here. We’ve got a good mindset and good clubhouse. We’re going to keep chugging through and hopefully the next 31 games, 30 games are a little bit better.”
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