Overview

• Shohei Ohtani recorded seven strikeouts, tripled in the first inning and allowed four runs over 4⅓ innings in his longest outing since returning from Tommy John surgery.
• The Dodgers’ bullpen—depleted by injuries to Evan Phillips, Brusdar Graterol and Blake Treinen—has surrendered late leads in four of their last seven games, contributing to a 21-loss slide over 33 contests.
• San Diego’s surging roster has seized sole possession of the division lead, turning Friday’s three-game series at Dodger Stadium into a potential turning point.
• In Queens, the Mets blew a 6–0 lead to the Braves, allowing nine runs in the fourth inning and extending a 12-loss drought in 14 games after starter David Peterson struggled with command.
• New York’s failure to reinforce its starting rotation at the trade deadline has intensified calls for roster adjustments, leaving the team in a precarious wild-card position.