The Los Angeles Dodgers strengthened their position atop the National League West by sweeping the Colorado Rockies in a pivotal three-game set at Dodger Stadium from September 8-10. With the sweep, the Dodgers’ record moved to 82-64, extending their lead over the San Diego Padres to three games as the season enters its crucial final stretch.
Sportsbooks responded to the series sweep by shortening the Dodgers’ division title odds, with most listing Los Angeles between -350 and -700 to win the West and +320 to +425 for the World Series. This late-season surge comes as the Dodgers navigate a tight race in the National League West. The Padres remain within striking distance, but Los Angeles now controls its fate with a magic number of 13.
Division Race and the Road Ahead
The Dodgers’ three-game edge in the West comes with no remaining head-to-head matchups against the Padres. The remainder of Los Angeles’ schedule is challenging: they face the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco for three games, host a seven game set at Dodger Stadium with three games against the National League East-leading Philadelphia Phillies and four against the division rival Giants, and then end the season on the road with a three game series at Chase Field against the Arizona Diamondbacks—a club contending for a wild card berth, and three games in Seattle against the Mariners.
Each opponent has something to play for—San Francisco and Arizona chase playoff spots, and Philadelphia jockeys for NL seeding—leaving the Dodgers with little room for error. Winning the division will require the Dodgers to match or outperform the Padres down the stretch, as any extended losing streak could bring the race down to the final weekend. Heading into the series, Boku casino sites have the Dodgers as heavy favorites to take at least two of three games.
Series Overview: Pitching Depth and Timely Hits
The Dodgers opened the series Monday night with a near no-hitter, as Tyler Glasnow and Blake Treinen held the Rockies hitless over eight innings. Tanner Scott entered for the ninth and gave up a leadoff double to Ryan Ritter, denying Los Angeles a combined no-hitter. Los Angeles rallied late, with Freddie Freeman’s RBI double tying the game and Mookie Betts delivering a go-ahead, two-run single in the seventh. The Dodgers secured a 3-1 win, holding off Colorado and preserving a one-game lead over the Padres.
On Tuesday, the Dodgers’ offense broke through as Shohei Ohtani launched his 48th home run. Andy Pages added a triple, and Emmet Sheehan delivered five solid innings, helping Los Angeles to a 7-2 victory. Max Muncy and Miguel Rojas combined for three RBIs, while the bullpen kept the Rockies off the board over the final four innings.
The sweep concluded Wednesday with Blake Snell striking out 11 batters over six scoreless innings, leading Los Angeles to a 9-0 shutout. Betts powered the offense with a grand slam—his 18th homer of the season—in the eighth inning, and Teoscar Hernández went deep for his 23rd. The Dodgers’ staff limited Colorado to just three hits as they closed the series convincingly.
Player Performances and Statistical Leaders
Shohei Ohtani continues to deliver in his first season with the Dodgers, now sitting third in the majors and tied for the NL lead with 48 home runs. Ohtani has added 91 RBIs and a .280 average, contributing consistently out of the lineup’s third spot. Mookie Betts recorded his 18th home run and now has 74 RBIs, while Freddie Freeman has tallied 78 RBIs with his batting average holding just under .300.
Blake Snell has solidified the rotation since returning from injury, and Glasnow’s return provided a boost just when the Dodgers needed it most. The bullpen allowed only one run in the entire Rockies series, a marked improvement from recent rough patches and a positive signal going into upcoming games against more formidable opponents.
Implications for October
With the pitching staff healthy and the lineup powered by Ohtani, Betts, and Freeman, the Dodgers’ odds for postseason success remain strong. However, the playoff field is tightly contested, and the possibility of a wild-card berth, rather than a home-field advantage, still exists if the Dodgers stumble.
Los Angeles maximized its opportunity by sweeping Colorado, but the work is far from over. Each game against the Giants, Phillies, and Diamondbacks carries significant playoff seeding and home-field implications, and the season finale against the Mariners may include meaningful games for both teams. The Dodgers are well-positioned, but performance in these final series will ultimately decide whether the team enters October as division champions or as a wild card with a more challenging road ahead.
