Particle.news
Download on the App Store
3 ARTICLES
·
yesterday

Dodgers Enter Second Half Leading NL West but Face Slumping Stars and Bullpen Woes

Primed for the return of Blake Snell and Blake Treinen, the front office is focusing on relief reinforcements following a rash of pitching injuries.

The Dodgers find themselves leading the NL West at the All-Star break, as usual, but they need to get key hitters like Teoscar Hernandez, left, Mookie Betts, center, and Freddie Freeman going at the plate. (Photos by Getty Images and The Associated Press)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MAY 13: Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners looks on while standing next to Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees at T-Mobile Park on May 13, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Shohei Ohtani has been slowly upping his pitch counts as the Dodgers work him back into their starting rotation. It’s one of several reasons they’re optimistic that their best baseball is ahead of them coming out of the All-Star break. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Overview

  • Los Angeles holds a five-game lead in the NL West at the All-Star break with the best record in the National League.
  • Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernández have battled significant offensive slumps since early June.
  • The bullpen has logged a league-high 427 innings with key arms sidelined or underperforming, prompting a push for deadline relievers.
  • Rotation depth is set to improve as Snell and Treinen near returns, and Max Muncy is likely to rejoin the lineup later in the season.
  • The Dodgers’ remaining schedule rates as one of the easiest in baseball, including just four road games in the next 25 and a pivotal September series against the Giants.