As July grinds to an end, the Los Angeles Dodgers face both frustrations and promising moments. Although the team is still considered a leading World Series contender by oddsmakers, recent results—including a three-game home sweep at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers—have led some fans and analysts to temper expectations. Still, the Dodgers showed some positive signs by winning their series against the Minnesota Twins, capped by a walk-off victory. With just over two months left in the regular season, the team’s situation remains the subject of close attention.
July’s Ups and Downs
The Dodgers came into July needing an intense stretch to solidify their position in the standings, but the month has turned out to be a mixed bag. After a complex series in Milwaukee, which ended in several closely contested losses, the Dodgers returned home hoping to get back on track. However, things did not immediately improve—Milwaukee swept them in three straight games at Dodger Stadium, extending the Dodgers’ losing streak and raising concerns about their offense and pitching depth.
Following that rough patch, Los Angeles responded by taking two out of three from the Minnesota Twins, including a dramatic win in the series finale where Freddie Freeman’s ninth-inning single brought in the tying and winning runs. That walk-off moment was a much-needed positive for a team that has struggled to find consistent results. Contributions from Ohtani, Freeman, and Betts offered reminders that the Dodgers still have the talent to compete, even if the results have been uneven.
For bettors following the team on US betting sites, this combination of setbacks and rebound performances has made forecasting the Dodgers’ future an ongoing topic of debate.
World Series Odds Remain Favorable
Despite their recent challenges, the Dodgers’ odds to win the World Series remain among the best in Major League Baseball. As of late July, most major sportsbooks list them around +240 to +255. These odds have not shifted much since the start of the season, which indicates that bookmakers and many fans still trust the team’s overall roster strength and postseason history. While teams like the Yankees and Phillies have closed the gap, the Dodgers continue to draw steady support, even as critics point out their recent stretches of inconsistent play.
This confidence is based mainly on the Dodgers’ depth and proven talent. However, the events of July—periodic struggles at the plate and questions about the bullpen—have made it clear that the path ahead will not necessarily be easy. The next several weeks will be important for the Dodgers to show that they can play at a consistently high level as the playoffs approach.
Ohtani’s Individual Award Races
Shohei Ohtani’s grip on the National League MVP award has only tightened as the 2025 season advances. Bookmakers now list him as a prohibitive favorite, with odds ranging from -800 up to -1300 depending on the outlet, reflecting his dominating two-way play and power at the plate. Ohtani’s combination of a near league-leading home run count, high OPS, and his return to the mound as a pitcher set him apart from other stars like Pete Crow-Armstrong and Juan Soto. His unique profile continues to drive his statistical impact and value in the awards race, making it increasingly difficult for any challenger to make up ground as summer progresses.
However, the race to end the season as the home run leader in both the National League and all of MLB is anything but settled. Seattle’s Cal Raleigh, enjoying a career-best power surge, leads all of baseball with 39 home runs, having recently captured widespread attention by winning the Home Run Derby. Despite his current advantage, oddsmakers still factor in the consistency and history of Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who, along with Ohtani, sits just two home runs behind Raleigh. Judge remains the betting favorite to finish with the most homers due to his proven track record of late-season power surges. In contrast, Ohtani’s blistering pace, including a recent streak with five homers in five games, has shortened his odds considerably, sometimes even leapfrogging Raleigh but most often placing him as a close third in the odds race.
As the home run contest enters its stretch, the spotlight remains on these three players. Raleigh’s ability to sustain his power barrage will determine if he can hold off two of the generation’s most feared sluggers. Bettors and analysts are watching to see whether Raleigh’s unexpected rise can culminate in a home run title. At the same time, Ohtani and Judge, with their history of finishing seasons with authority, are poised to make every at-bat down the stretch pivotal in determining who will claim the home run crown in 2025.
Yamamoto’s Cy Young Chances
Yoshinobu Yamamoto has faced a steep learning curve in his sophomore MLB season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Entering late July 2025, his odds to win the National League Cy Young Award hover around +8000, marking him as a significant long shot in a talent-packed race. Yamamoto has demonstrated moments of top-notch pitching, evident in his 8-7 record, 2.55 ERA, and 124 strikeouts over 109.1 innings pitched across 20 starts. His WHIP stands at an excellent 1.04, but inconsistent team success and fierce competition put his candidacy behind more established starters this year.
The National League Cy Young conversation is currently dominated by names like Zack Wheeler of the Phillies (9-3, 2.39 ERA, 164 K in 128 IP), Paul Skenes of the Pirates (1.91 ERA, 137 K, 127 IP), and Cristopher Sánchez of the Phillies (9-2, 2.40 ERA, 134 K in 124 IP). Wheeler and Skenes are considered frontrunners, with odds reflecting a two-horse race this season. Yamamoto’s improvement and flashes of dominance suggest future potential, but for 2025, the Cy Young looks out of reach, barring an extraordinary late-season surge by the Dodgers right-hander.
Looking Forward to August
As the Dodgers enter August, the focus turns to stabilizing their roster, improving their day-to-day performance, and maintaining the health of their key players. Their position as a betting favorite is based on depth and experience, but the recent ups and downs remind them that nothing is guaranteed. How the team responds in the coming weeks will go a long way toward determining whether expectations set early in the season are ultimately met.
For now, fans and sportsbooks continue to monitor Los Angeles closely, knowing that while the potential is still there, the path forward will require consistent play and contributions from across the roster.
