Key questions surrounding Los Angeles’ title hopes
The Dodgers are still one of baseball’s biggest World Series contenders, but the path to another championship is not without complications. Recent results have brought several areas into focus, while injuries continue to affect key players and pitching options.
With the postseason approaching, Los Angeles has plenty of talent on hand. However, several important questions remain unanswered.
A recent slump exposed weaknesses
Los Angeles recently endured a season-high seven-game losing streak that included losses to the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks. The skid ended with a 2-1, 10-inning victory over Arizona on Aug. 8.
The Dodgers later swept Kansas City in three games before splitting the first two games of their series with Milwaukee. After their Aug. 14 victory, Los Angeles was 5-5 over its previous 10 games.
Ohtani progresses toward a pitching return
Shohei Ohtani continues contributing as a hitter while recovering from left-knee inflammation and right-biceps discomfort that interrupted his pitching progression. He has not pitched in a major league game since July 3.
Ohtani threw a 34-pitch bullpen session on Aug. 14 as he continued rebuilding his throwing program. MLB currently lists September as his expected return to pitching, although the Dodgers have not announced an exact date for his next start.
The rotation is getting healthier
Blake Snell returned from the injured list on Aug. 11 and delivered six innings with one earned run and 10 strikeouts against Kansas City. Tyler Glasnow also began a Minor League rehab assignment after missing time with lower-back spasms.
Their progress gives Los Angeles additional starting options. Both pitchers are rebuilding workloads after extended absences.
Tarik Skubal strengthened the staff
Los Angeles acquired two-time reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal from Detroit before the Aug. 3 trade deadline. The move added another established starter to a rotation that includes Yoshinobu Yamamoto and other experienced arms.
Skubal made his Dodgers debut against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Aug. 4, allowing 2 runs over 6 innings in a 5-1 loss. He then made his Dodger Stadium debut against Kansas City on Aug. 10.
The bullpen has shown late-game issues
Edwin Díaz experienced a difficult late-inning stretch during the Dodgers’ recent struggles. On Aug. 7, he surrendered a two-run walk-off home run to Ryan Waldschmidt in the ninth inning against Arizona, giving the Diamondbacks a 4-3 victory.
The following night, Díaz escaped further damage after Arizona tied the game with back-to-back triples before Los Angeles won 2-1 in 10 innings. The sequence highlighted recent volatility in the ninth inning.
Defensive mistakes have mattered
Los Angeles has also dealt with costly defensive mistakes during its recent downturn. In an Aug. 9 loss to Arizona, Justin Wrobleski lasted 3⅓ innings and allowed four runs, while the Dodgers also made a costly throwing error during the game.
Earlier in the season, defensive mistakes contributed to a loss to Colorado despite Justin Wrobleski pitching seven strong innings. The club has therefore had uneven stretches on defense.
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The offense still has major production
The Dodgers’ lineup remains productive despite its recent uneven stretch. Through games played on Aug. 14, Los Angeles had scored 613 runs while allowing 470, producing a +143 run differential.
Shohei Ohtani remains a major part of the offense. Freddie Freeman had hit .417 over a 19-game stretch before tumbling into the visitors’ dugout while pursuing a foul ball on Aug. 12.
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Freeman’s status bears watching
Freddie Freeman was listed as day-to-day after falling into the Kansas City dugout while chasing a foul ball on Aug. 12. He reported soreness in his knees, shoulder, hand and wrist, although he avoided a head injury.
Freeman had been productive before the incident, batting .417 across his previous 19 games. His availability remains an important roster consideration during the stretch run.
The NL West lead provides room
Despite their recent struggles, the Dodgers still hold a substantial NL West lead. Through Aug. 14, Los Angeles was 74-49, while San Diego stood at 66-57, leaving the Dodgers 8 games ahead.
Arizona was 65-58, one game behind San Diego and 9 games behind Los Angeles. The division cushion gives the Dodgers breathing room, although their remaining results still matter for overall National League postseason seeding.
Postseason seeding still matters
Major League Baseball’s postseason format makes the regular-season finish significant for division winners. The top two division winners in each league receive first-round byes, while the third division winner enters the Wild Card Series.
Los Angeles, therefore, has reasons to keep improving its record despite holding a comfortable division lead. Its remaining schedule will determine its final National League position.
The roster is built around October depth
The Dodgers entered the season seeking a third consecutive World Series championship after winning titles in 2024 and 2025. Their 2026 roster has since added Skubal, while Snell has returned, and Glasnow is progressing toward a return.
Ohtani is also expected to resume pitching when medically ready. The result is a roster with several high-level players managing different health timelines.
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The key concerns are concentrated
Los Angeles remains one of the National League’s top teams while dealing with injuries, recent bullpen instability, and the effects of a season-high seven-game losing streak. Ohtani’s pitching build-up, Glasnow’s rehab progress, Freeman’s recovery, and Edwin Díaz’s late-inning form remain developments to follow.
The Dodgers have also added Tarik Skubal and welcomed Blake Snell back to the rotation. Through Aug. 14, Los Angeles was 74-49 with an 8-game lead in the NL West, keeping the club firmly in contention as it works through those concerns before October.
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What do you think is the Dodgers’ biggest concern heading into the postseason? Like this slideshow and comment with your take.
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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