The Los Angeles Dodgers extended their winning streak to four games and improved to a season-high 24 games over .500 when they completed a sweep of the Chicago White Sox on July 3.
That additionally gave them a nine-game lead over the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants in the National League West standings, and another division title — albeit still somewhat early — appeared to be another formality. After all, the Dodgers have won the NL West in 11 of the past 12 seasons.
But it’s been largely downhill for the Dodgers since July 4, when a seven-game losing streak began. It was built behind getting swept by the Houston Astros and Milwaukee Brewers. Then came a loss to the Giants on July 11.
The free fall since Independence Day now has the Dodgers entering a pivotal stretch trailing the Padres by one game in the NL West. It’s the latest the Padres have been in sole possession of first place since Sept. 25, 2010.
Friday marks the start of the Padres and Dodgers playing six games over a span in 10 days. The Dodgers head into this weekend’s series on a four-game losing skid, just having been swept by the Los Angeles Angels for a second time this year, and 12-21 overall since July 4.
Meanwhile, the Padres have won five games in a row and are 23-12 since July 4. The Padres are looking to win the NL West for the first time since 2006.
They finished with the same record as the Dodgers (88-74) but clinched the division title due to winning the season series.
Dodgers fall to second place in NL West
Dave Roberts
Even when taking into account a rash of injuries on their pitching staff and position players of late, it’s difficult to fathom the Dodgers not only losing their lead in the NL West but falling into second place.
“Absolutely not,” manager Dave Roberts answered when asked if he could have envisioned the team being in this position with just six weeks remaining in the regular season.
“We’re where we’re at, we’ve put ourselves in this spot, but no, I wouldn’t have expected us to be in second place right now.”
Mookie Betts
Three of their last four defeats have been one-run losses, but Mookie Betts generally is maintaining an optimistic view even as the Dodgers scuffle along.
“I mean, it is what it is. Can’t change it right now so we’ll see when the next series comes,” he said. “We’re playing pretty good, man. Like I said, we’re giving ourselves chances to win, and that’s the main thing we can ask for right now.
“Just a chance to win. We’re not playing from behind all the time, we’re giving ourselves a lead. Those guys are battling. There’s been many times when we as an offense give them nothing to work with. It’s just part of the flow of a season.”
Shohei Ohtani
Shohei Ohtani at times has been among the Dodgers’ hitters to struggle at the plate, but he’s gotten back on track of late and leads the National League with 43 home runs.
“Obviously it doesn’t feel good to fall into second place and lose a lot of these games,” he said through interpreter Will Ireton after pitching at Angel Stadium with the Dodgers for the first time.
“We’re doing everything in our power, having closed meetings, doing everything that we can to try to right the ship. We just have to do a better job.”
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