NFL
By: George Lopez
The Los Angeles Dodgers currently sit atop the NL West with a record of 48-31 following their recent home stand that saw the team win 7 out of 10 games. The team is being challenged by the San Diego Padres and the surprising San Francisco Giants, as both teams are within 5 games of the Dodgers in the standings. As with last year’s team, the Dodgers are dealing with injuries to key players, yet continue to find ways to win.
Similar to last season, the Dodgers have been hit hard with injuries, particularly with the pitching staff. At one point this season, the Dodgers had 15 pitchers on the injured list. Last season, the Dodgers entered the postseason with 3 healthy starting pitchers. In the offseason, the Dodgers looked to add depth to their starting rotation by signing Blake Small and Roki Sasaki. The Dodgers once again face issues with injuries to their starting rotation. Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Roki Sasaki have been out with shoulder injuries. Glasnow, on the 60-day IL, threw 2 innings this past Sunday in his first rehab start. If all goes to plan, Glasnow is expected to rejoin the rotation later this summer. Snell recently threw a bullpen session, and the Dodgers hope Snell will begin a rehab assignment in the near future. The news on Sasaki wasn’t as promising as he was recently moved to the 60-day IL, and manager Dave Roberts has stated there is a possibility Sasaki does not pitch again this season. Tony Gonsolin was placed on the 60-day IL due to elbow discomfort, and his availability for the rest of the season is unknown.
The news is not all bad for the Dodgers’ pitching staff. Shohei Ohtani made his second appearance as an opener this past weekend as he continues to build himself up to be a full-time member of the rotation. Emmett Sheehan made his first start since 2023 this past week and looked impressive in his 4 innings of work. After a rough start in his return from the injured list, Clayton Kershaw has looked much better in his last 3 starts. Dustin May has looked impressive at times as he continues to work on finding consistency. Yoshinobu Yamamoto was mentioned in Cy Young talks as he started the season 6-2 and was seen as the ace of the starting rotation. He has been inconsistent in his past few starts and looks to regain the form he showed earlier this season.
The Dodgers’ bullpen has been the most-used bullpen in the MLB this season, as was the case last season. As with the starting rotation, injuries have hit the Dodgers bullpen staff. Blake Treinen has been out since mid-April with a right forearm sprain. Surgery is not required, but the is no timetable for his return, though he has begun throwing bullpen sessions. Michael Kopech has returned to the bullpen and has yet to allow an earned run in 6 appearances since returning from the injured list. Kirby Yates has also returned from the injured list. The surprise in the Dodgers bullpen has been the performance of rookie Ben Casparius. Used as a long relief pitcher, Casparius has impressed the Dodgers and their fan base, compiling a 6-1 record. Manager Dave Roberts recently announced that Casparius would be moved to the starting rotation. However, he was used as the 2nd pitcher in Ohtani’s recent appearance, throwing 5 impressive innings for the win. Closer Tanner Scott, who struggled at the beginning of this season, has begun to pitch like the Tanner Scott the Dodgers envisioned when they signed him to a free agent contract this past offseason.
While the Dodgers have managed to work around the injuries to their pitching staff, the offense has stepped up to help carry the load. The recent play of Andy Pages has Dodger fans excited. On the season, Pages is hitting .292 with 16 home runs and 52 RBIs. Pages has come up with multiple clutch hits for the Dodgers and has shown a strong arm in the outfield that has opposing clubs rethinking the strategy of challenging his throws. Max Muncy got off to a slow start, but after being diagnosed with astigmatism, he has begun to wear glasses and is showing signs of being the Muncy of old. Will Smith continues to play at an All-Star level at catcher, batting .328 with 9 home runs and 42 RBI’s. Mookie Betts is off to a slower start to the season than Dodger fans have become accustomed to seeing with Betts. For the season, Betts is hitting .254 with 9 home runs and 38 RBI’s. Shohei Ohtani, an NL MVP front runner, has not put of the same type of numbers as last season when he became the first player in MLB history to join the 50-50 club. Ohtani is still having another MVP-caliber season, batting .291 with 26 home runs and 48 RBIs. With Ohtani returning to the mound this season, Dodger fans should not expect to see Ohtani attempt as many stolen bases as he did last season.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, beset by injuries to their pitching staff this season, continue to find ways to win and lead the NL West. Will the Dodgers look to add players at the trading deadline or rely on the players expected back later this season to make another run at a world championship. Only time will tell what President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman will do to help the club stave off both the Padres and Giants in what will surely be a tightly contested NL West division. Either way, manager Dave Roberts will continue to use the players that give the Dodgers the best chance to win each and every night.
