The Los Angeles Dodgers strengthened their grip on the National League West with a 2-1 win over the San Francisco Giants on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. With this victory, the Dodgers pushed their division lead to three games over San Diego, positioning themselves favorably with just over a week remaining in the regular season. The narrow win reflects the high-stakes battle for playoff positioning across the National League, with oddsmakers responding accordingly.
Following the Dodgers’ win, leading sportsbooks adjusted their odds to reflect a tightening race. Los Angeles holds World Series odds in the +475 to +550 range, with Allbets.TV Philippines placing them as one of the favorites for the National League pennant alongside the Brewers and Phillies. The Dodgers’ National League West title odds currently sit around -400, a nod to the team’s steady form and the increasingly limited opportunities for challengers like the Padres and Giants to close the gap.
Yamamoto Headlines Combined One-Hitter
Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered a gritty effort in his 2025 campaign, combining with five relievers to hold the Giants to just one hit for the night. Yamamoto, who saw his season ERA improve to 2.58, worked into the sixth inning and did not allow a run. He finished with seven strikeouts and six walks, navigating frequent traffic but refusing to yield when it mattered most. His record stands at 11-8, a testament to his pivotal role in the Dodgers’ rotation during a tightly contested playoff push.
After Yamamoto’s 108-pitch effort (60 strikes), Jack Dreyer finished the sixth, and the Dodgers bullpen took over. Michael Kopech and Blake Treinen made it through a tense seventh despite allowing four walks and a run. Anthony Banda and Alex Vesia each pitched a scoreless inning, with Vesia securing his fifth save of the season to close out the win. Dodgers pitchers combined for ten walks on the night, reflecting recent struggles with command, but ultimately kept the Giants’ offense in check by allowing only a single hit—a second-inning single by Patrick Bailey.
Ohtani, Freeman Key in Decisive Sixth
The Dodgers did their scoring damage in the sixth inning, capitalizing on rare lapses from Giants ace Logan Webb. Shohei Ohtani sparked the rally with his second double of the night, nearly clearing the right-field wall. Ben Rortvedt moved to third and scored when Mookie Betts grounded to short, though Giants catcher Patrick Bailey couldn’t secure the throw at the plate. Freddie Freeman followed with an RBI single to bring home Ohtani, providing the cushion the Dodgers needed to withstand a shaky seventh inning from their bullpen.
Webb nearly matched Yamamoto pitch-for-pitch, limiting Los Angeles to one hit through the first five innings. He finished with seven innings, six hits, two runs, one walk, and seven strikeouts, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Dodgers’ combined pitching effort. San Francisco’s only run came in the seventh, thanks to a bases-loaded walk drawn by Rafael Devers. Treinen, however, wiggled free by striking out Willy Adames and Matt Chapman to end the inning.
Recent Trends and Upcoming Schedule
With the win, the Dodgers improved their record to 86-67, winners of eight of their last eleven games. The Giants fell to 76-77 and slipped further back in the division race and the crowded National League Wild Card chase. San Francisco now trails the Mets, Diamondbacks, and Reds for the final wild card spot, intensifying the urgency of their remaining schedule. With the loss to the Dodgers tonight, their World Series odds have dropped to +20,000 from +15,000 according to Allbets in the Philippines,
The Dodgers are amid a challenging homestand, having already issued 23 walks in the first four games. Command issues in the bullpen remain a storyline, though timely outs and key performances from Vesia and Banda have prevented big innings. The offense, meanwhile, continues to find ways to score late, with Ohtani’s consistency and Freeman’s clutch hitting driving recent success.
The schedule down the stretch remains filled with playoff implications. Los Angeles will play three more games against San Francisco at home before closing with a road series against division rival Arizona and the American League West-leading Seattle Mariners, both with their own postseason hopes. With a three-game lead and a magic number of seven to clinch the West, each win further secures first-round home-field advantage.
Kershaw’s Farewell Looms Large
Friday’s matchup brings an emotional note, as Clayton Kershaw takes the mound for what is expected to be his final regular-season home start. Kershaw, who announced his intention to retire at season’s end, enters the contest with a 10-2 record and a 3.53 ERA. His career achievements and impact on the Dodgers organization are sure to be honored, even as the focus remains squarely on locking down the division.
As the final week approaches, the Dodgers’ path is clear but not without obstacles. Concerns about bullpen command and timely hitting will define the stretch run, but recent trends and strengthened playoff odds reflect a club positioned to contend deep into October. Their fate remains in their hands, with every inning and every game likely to carry outsized playoff implications until the National League West is ultimately decided.
