The Los Angeles Dodgers faced challenging moments during the final ten days before the All-Star break, including a seven-game losing streak that highlighted their offensive struggles. They managed to score two or fewer runs in six of eight games through Saturday and required extra innings just to score more than two runs on Sunday. Despite these difficulties, the team closed the week with two victories over the San Francisco Giants, preserving their undefeated streak in series against National League West rivals this season.
Dominant Shohei Ohtani Sparks the Dodgers on Both Sides of the Game
Shohei Ohtani delivered an outstanding performance, leading the Dodgers in runs, hits, RBIs, and walks while accounting for half of the team’s four home runs during the week. His dual success as both a batter and pitcher was unprecedented in the 17 seasons of weekly Dodgers reports, marking him as the first player to claim both batter of the week and pitcher of the week honors simultaneously. Ohtani’s pitching prowess was especially evident in a three-inning scoreless appearance with four strikeouts, which drew enthusiastic praise from commentators.
Managerial and broadcasting staff were visibly thrilled by Ohtani’s form, with Joe Davis expressing excitement following his pitching displays. This rare level of excellence placed Ohtani in a unique position in franchise history, just as Clayton Kershaw had come close in 2016 by winning batter of the week while falling short on the pitching accolade.
Supporting Cast Provides Valuable Contributions Amid Roster Moves
Alongside Ohtani, solid performances came from other key players. Miguel Rojas stood out with a home run, double, and the highest OPS on the team, though he played significantly fewer games than Ohtani. Tyler Glasnow made a successful return to the rotation after ten weeks on the injured list, pitching effectively and providing a boost to the starting staff. Veteran Clayton Kershaw continued to display his steady presence, delivering six innings of reliable work in Milwaukee.
Reliever Alex Vesia also impressed, recording six strikeouts in 3⅔ innings while maintaining a leading strikeout rate among Dodgers relievers this season. Despite heavy bullpen usage throughout the week, Vesia’s steadiness helped stabilize relief duties amid roster changes.
Depth Changes and Injuries Shape Team Dynamics
During the week, the Dodgers experienced several roster adjustments and injury updates. Utility player Kiké Hernández was placed on the injured list due to left elbow inflammation, which prompted the call-up of James Outman. Right-hander Julian Fernández returned to major league action for the first time since 2021, pitching two innings as the 35th pitcher used by Los Angeles this season.
Other moves included Alexis Díaz’s brief call-up, Michael Kopech’s placement on the 60-day injured list following knee surgery, and the trade of outfielder Steward Berroa to the Milwaukee Brewers for cash considerations. Nick Nastrini was claimed off waivers from the Marlins, adding pitching depth, while Noah Davis was designated for assignment and CJ Alexander was outrighted to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Series Results and Team Standings Reflect Resilience
Despite the challenging start to the week, the Dodgers fought hard, with a series of results illustrating their tenacity. They lost three consecutive games to the Brewers by close margins, including an extra-innings contest, before facing the Giants. After a narrow loss on Friday, the Dodgers rebounded with wins on Saturday and Sunday, the latter secured in 11 innings. These victories helped maintain their first-place standing in the NL West, leading the division by 5½ games over the San Diego Padres.
Overall, the Dodgers have excelled within the National League West, holding an impressive 7-0-1 record in series and 19-7 in games against division rivals, the best divisional mark in Major League Baseball this season.
Upcoming Schedule and Team Outlook Post All-Star Break
Following the break, the Dodgers face a series against the Milwaukee Brewers at home, presenting an opportunity to build momentum from their recent victories. With Shohei Ohtani continuing to demonstrate remarkable impact as both a pitcher and hitter, combined with returning and stable contributors like Tyler Glasnow and Alex Vesia, the Dodgers look to address earlier offensive woes and solidify their position for the playoff push.
Rookie Roki Sasaki has also begun pitching bullpen sessions as he works toward a potential late August return, which could add another element of strength to the pitching staff. The management’s efforts to refine the roster and heal injuries suggest a carefully managed path forward, focused on maintaining competitiveness within an intense division.
“Shohei Ohtani is the first player in my 17 seasons of doing these weekly reports (424 of them to date) to win both batter of the week and pitcher of the week.” —Joe Davis, Broadcaster
“GM GA GN at 98, 99, and 100 sends Joe Davis into ecstasy.” —Joe Davis, Broadcaster
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Shohei Ohtani the only 50/50?
A. Shohei Ohtani is the sole athlete in the 50/50 club.