The Los Angeles Dodgers have been in a free fall since improving to 92-36 and 21 games ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League West standings on Aug. 25. While the Diamondbacks have been a thorn in the side of the Dodgers, the Colorado Rockies took that honor Thursday night.
Clayton Kershaw was hit early, with Nolan Arenado’s three-run home run in the first inning providing a lead the Rockies never relinquished. They scored another run off the Dodgers’ ace in the third inning, and five against the bullpen over the remainder of the game.
The win was just the Rockies’ fourth in their last 10 games, and one that helped put a little distance between themselves and the Milwaukee Brewers for the second NL Wild Card spot.
In the eyes of Arenado, it may have also been the Rockies’ biggest win this season, via MLB.com:
“I don’t want to be all dramatic here, but you could make the argument that was our biggest win of the year,” Arenado said. ” It was just a big win coming into L.A. after a tough loss last night and getting in late. Jon Gray pitched a great game for us — just a big win.”
Even with the Dodgers on a season-worst seven-game losing streak and having lost 12 of their last 13 games, the general consensus holds they remain the favorites to win the NL West this season.
Diamondbacks catcher Chris Iannetta recently referred to the Dodgers as the best team in baseball. That came after the Diamondbacks extended their winning streak to a franchise-best 13 games, which includes consecutive series sweeps and six straight wins against the NL West leaders.
Including Friday, the Rockies have six games remaining against the Dodgers this season. Should the current playoff picture hold, the Wild Card Game and subsequent NL Division Series will be a collision course between the divisional opponents.
