Despite losing several key players, Dave Roberts‘ team found the formula to deliver a result that sends a clear message to their division and all of MLB. The Los Angeles Dodgers cannot be counted out, and they proved it in a highly anticipated series, briefly losing their lead in the West only to reclaim it by the end.
The San Diego Padres can’t compete with the Dodgers
At least that’s the impression left by the team trying to keep pace in the divisional race. Although several analysts insist that Mike Shildt‘s team could dethrone the Dodgers, the overall season record tells a different story.
In Major League Baseball, all 162 games matter, but the reality is that the Dodgers have dominated San Diego 8-2 in their head-to-head series. They lost their division lead during the week, but after this Sunday, they’ve returned to the top of the NL West.
In a game that remained tied until the eighth inning, Mookie Betts stood out with a home run, a player who has acknowledged that he hasn’t delivered the numbers fans are accustomed to throughout his career. He’s slowly finding his form, and his solo home run in the eighth inning secured a 5-4 victory.
Freddie Freeman and Andy Pages also went deep, while Alex Vesia sealed the game with a strikeout of Manny Machado to close out the series. The closer’s emotional celebration, contrasted with the image of Machado’s wild swing, marked the moment.
The sweep against the San Diego Padres serves as a statement, and it’s clear that the Dodgers are on track to win the NL West for the 12th time in 13 years.
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