The Dodgers head into the All Star break tied for first place in the National League West standings. Given the hurdles the Dodgers faced in the first half of the season, it’s quite an accomplishment to be at the top of the NL West.
The Dodgers are actually a fraction of a percentage point ahead of those annoying Arizona Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks have played two more games (91) than the Dodgers (89) at the break, and have one more win and one more loss than the Dodgers. The Diamondbacks lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday while the Dodgers had the day off after a two-game series against the Los Angeles Angels.
It all adds up to a tie for first place between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks in the NL West.
The Dodgers are a season-high 13 games over .500, have a four-game winning streak and went 5-1 against the Pirates and Angels last week.
Considering the Dodgers have three starters, Clayton Kershaw, Noah Syndergaard and Dustin May, on the injured list, and every starter from the opening day roster has spent time on the IL, it’s amazing they are playing this well.
One of the players who has been playing extremely well is Mookie Betts. He set some records in the game Saturday against the Angels. He hit his 10th leadoff home run, tying a record for the most leadoff home runs in the first half of a season. Bobby Bonds hit 10 leadoff home runs in the first half of the 1973 season for the San Francisco Giants. It was Betts’ 26th home run of the season. He set the Dodgers franchise record for most leadoff home runs in the first half. It was also his 46th career leadoff home run, tying him for seventh all time with Jimmy Rollins of the Philadelphia Phillies.
“Seems like every swing he's barreling up the ball,” Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman told the Associated Press after Saturday’s game. “Sometimes breaks can come at the wrong time, but I think Mookie found something in his swing and he's been able to lock it in. For 30, 35 games now, it's been that special.”
The Dodgers hit five home runs against the Angels on Saturday and won the game, 10-5. Freeman hit his 17th home run, Max Muncy hit his 21st, JD Martinez hit his 22nd and David Peralta added a pinch-hit solo home run in the seventh inning.
The Dodgers hit five home runs against the Angels in the game on Friday night too. Hitting has not been a problem for the Dodgers. They have a plus-76 run differential, second best in the National League behind the Atlanta Braves, and have scored 494 runs in 89 games. The Braves lead the National League with 499 runs in 89 games.
But pitching has been a problem.
Kershaw, the Dodgers best starter in the first half of the season, is on the injured list and it’s not clear when he will return to the rotation. May is probably out for the season and Syndergaard looks like he’s headed to the bullpen when he is healthy enough to return.
On a positive note, it looks like Chris Taylor, the Dodgers super sub, is ready to rejoin the team when the Dodgers head to New York for a series against the Mets after the All Star Game in Seattle.
Dodger starting pitcher power rankings:
- Tony Gonsolin
- Julio Urias
- Bobby Miller
- Michael Grove
- Emmet Sheehan
The Dodgers (51-38) have five players in the All Star Game. Betts, Freeman and Martinez are starters. Catcher Will Smith is a reserve. Kershaw was selected to the team but is injured. The All Star Game is Tuesday in Seattle. The Dodgers head to New York for a three-game weekend series against the Mets on Friday.
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