Leading the National League West for a better part of the regular season, the Los Angeles Dodgers have kept a level mindset despite being without several key players for prolonged stretches.
Mookie Betts and Max Muncy have missed considerable time with respective injuries, but both are now nearing their returns. Meanwhile, the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres have become immediate threats to the Dodgers’ reign in the NL West as they have closed the distance in the standings.
Looking ahead, the Dodgers have matchups with numerous division-leading, or Wild Card teams. Having lost two of three games to the Philadelphia Phillies, next for the Dodgers are matchups with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles to round out August.
Blake Treinen spoke about the Dodgers’ daily focus and how beneficial it is for them to face high-level opponents, via SportsNet LA:
“I think we’re really focused on just getting a W every day. Each day is at a premium. You can’t worry about the next. There’s too many worries about tomorrow that would stress you out today, so try to live in the present. It’s cliché, but it’s cliché for a reason, because it’s true. I recently heard the stretch of teams that we’re playing, and it’s good for us. If you want to be the best and at your sharpest, you’ve got to go through these guys. No better practice than to do it now.”
The Dodgers are their own worst enemy, still playing through a drop-off in offense in the lower part of the batting order. Positive news is forthcoming for the team, even as Treinen landed on the injured list and fellow right-hander Brusdar Graterol is now out for multiple weeks as well because of a right hamstring strain.
Understanding that their own game is with themselves and getting each other right could be the Dodgers’ biggest concern. If all things click, they still have a shot at securing the best record in the NL.
Reasons for Dodgers to be optimistic
Even with the myriad injuries they’ve endured in both the starting rotation and lineup, the Dodgers have received an overwhelming wave of positive news on multiple players.
Betts, Muncy and newly-acquired Tommy Edman, are all on the right track. Betts is likely going to be activated during next week’s road trip, and Muncy and Edman are beginning rehab assignments with Triple-A Oklahoma City this weekend.
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