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Los Angeles Times
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Far from their best, Dodgers find a way to beat Royals and move into MLB wins lead
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Dave Roberts has a high bar for his $400 million baseball team. Sure, the Dodgers entered Friday winners of 13 of their 17, tied for the best overall record in baseball, and leading the National League West by six games. Sure, they already have one guaranteed All-Star in Shohei Ohtani, and seven other finalists who advanced to the second stage of fan voting that will begin next week. But, in the eyes of their manager, 'I still just don't believe we're playing our best baseball,' Roberts said Friday afternoon. 'I don't think we've played complete baseball for a stretch.' On Friday night, the Dodgers still weren't at their best. Dustin May managed just four innings in a four-run start. The lineup produced only four total hits. Teoscar Hernández made a defensive blunder in the outfield. And the bullpen danced in and out of trouble down the stretch. But right now, amid this soft portion of the team's schedule, flawed performances have often still been enough. And in Friday's 5-4 win over the badly slumping Kansas City Royals, that once again proved to be the case. For all the Dodgers' shortcomings, they did just enough to compensate in a series opener at Kauffman Stadium. May gave up a run in the first after letting three straight batters reach with two outs … but not before Ohtani opened the scoring with a leadoff blast. Hernández let a hard-hit but very-much-catchable line drive get over his head in right field in the third, fueling a three-run Royals rally that was punctuated by Bobby Witt Jr.'s two-run blast … but that was sandwiched by a two-run Max Muncy homer in the second, and a game-tying triple from Ohtani in the fifth. Mookie Betts eventually put the Dodgers in front one at-bat after Ohtani's triple, singling him home to give the Dodgers a 5-4 lead. And though May's high pitch count forced him to exit after early, a worn-down Dodgers bullpen patched together five scoreless frames, escaping their biggest jam in the ninth when closer Tanner Scott induced a game-ending double-play with the bases loaded. It wasn't pretty, but it was still enough to move the Dodgers into sole possession of the best record in the majors at 52-31. That extended stretch of dominance is still eluding them. But for now, they're finding ways to win anyway.
Newsweek
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Padres Urged To Pursue Trade For $4.5 Million Veteran Catcher
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The San Diego Padres have a very talented roster, but they're still a tick behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West. However, the Padres could look to close the gap a bit on the Dodgers by swinging a trade to upgrade their catcher in the coming weeks. Padres catchers have been a net negative to the team at this point. Cameron Zunkel of Clutch Points recently urged the Padres to pursue a trade for Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers before the trade deadline. MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 22: Ryan Jeffers #27 of the Minnesota Twins celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in the fourth inning of the game at Target Field on June... MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 22: Ryan Jeffers #27 of the Minnesota Twins celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in the fourth inning of the game at Target Field on June 22, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. More"That is where Ryan Jeffers comes into play. Jeffers is a free agent after the 2026 season, and he is 28 years old," Zunkel wrote. "Along with that, Minnesota has a few catchers in their top prospect list that will be ready for the MLB in the next year or two. "On the season, Jeffers is slashing .248/.346/.402 with six home runs, 29 RBI, and just 47 strikeouts to 28 walks in 63 games played. The right-handed batter would be better than both the catchers San Diego is putting out there daily. His defense is just average, but his bat makes up for it. He might take a few prospects to acquire, but the Padres would be smart to pursue Ryan Jeffers. Doing so would make San Diego a World Series contender." A trade for Jeffers would likely be quite affordable, as the middle tier of catchers never seems to net a huge return on the trade market. Jeffers would be a significant upgrade over what the Padres have at the position right now. San Diego would transition from a negative-WAR catcher to somebody who could post 2.0 or 3.0 WAR across a solid season. It's a no-brainer. More MLB: Reds Boldly Predicted To Swing Trade For Exciting Young Outfielder
Newsweek
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Padres Legend States Rivalry With Dodgers 'Good For Game'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres rivalry has seen a rise in intensity in recent years, with both teams competing and the Dodgers securing a World Series title last season. It came to a boiling point with star players from both teams being hit multiple times during their most recent series, including a bench-clearing incident where Dodgers manager Dave Roberts shoved Padres skipper Mike Schildt. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 19: Both benches clear after Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres was hit by a pitch by Jack Little #81 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the... LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 19: Both benches clear after Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres was hit by a pitch by Jack Little #81 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium on June 19, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. More Photo byThe recent playoff success of the Dodgers and their dominance of the National League West have certainly struck a nerve with the Padres, and the recent playoff encounters have added to their shared pot of hatred. In the four-game series, Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani was hit twice, while Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. was hit three times. Both managers were ejected during the series, and tensions came to their peak when Tatis was hit in the ninth inning, causing both benches to clear. Former Padre and Hall of Fame reliever Trevor Hoffman enjoys seeing the animosity between the franchises. "It's a little bit of an old-school feel," Hoffman said about the rivalry to Fox News. "Honestly, I think it's good for the game," Hoffman continued. "These guys have a lot of respect for each other and know how important these games are. Both teams are filled with talent, and with the division race being tight, each game between the two will have a playoff atmosphere surrounding it. Hoffman called the series against the Dodgers "a measuring stick." If the Padres want to overtake the division and be the kings of the West, they will have to dethrone the current holder of the crown. More MLB: Clayton Kershaw Calls Cardinals 'Bush League' For Showing Postseason Highlight
Newsweek
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Padres Pushed To Trade For $77 Million Pirates Star Pitcher
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The San Diego Padres are one of the best teams in the league, but it still seems like they're a step behind their rival Los Angeles Dodgers. However, if the Padres can pull off a few trades this season, there's a chance they can catch and surpass the Dodgers, potentially stealing the National League West out from under their nose. Cameron Zunkel of Clutch Points recently urged the Padres to swing a massive trade for Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Mitch Keller this season. PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 21: Mitch Keller #23 of the Pittsburgh Pirates walks in from the bullpen before the start of the game against the Texas Rangers at PNC Park on June 21, 2025 in... PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 21: Mitch Keller #23 of the Pittsburgh Pirates walks in from the bullpen before the start of the game against the Texas Rangers at PNC Park on June 21, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. More"Mitch Keller is not a free agent until after 2028. That means his price could be significantly higher because of his years of club control," Zunkel wrote. "Even with the higher price, Keller could be a great fit in San Diego, and he would immediately make an impact in the rotation. "The Pirates seem to be open to trading Keller, as well. The Chicago Cubs are in contact about the starting pitcher, and with conversations happening, it means the Pirates will trade him away for the right price. San Diego needs to be the highest bidder in that case." With Michael King and Dylan Cease set to enter free agency at the end of the season, acquiring an ace like Keller with team control on his contract would be massive for the future of the team. Adding Keller would also make the Padres significantly better right now. A top three of Keller, King, and Cease should be able to compete with any team in the league in October. More MLB: Mets Predicted To Land $50 Million Star In Massive Trade
Newsweek
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Max Muncy Reveals Dodgers' 'Up Front' Move After Nolan Arenado Trade Calls
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Los Angeles Dodgers earned a sweep of the Colorado Rockies on Thursday, reaching the halfway point of the season with a significant lead in the National League West division. Content as the team can be with its performance so far, that lead was to be expected after two blockbuster offseasons in a row that included the additions of Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell and other All-Stars. It's been made clear that the Dodgers will pursue virtually any win-now talent if an opportunity becomes available. And that pursuit drove some trade speculation around veteran Max Muncy earlier this season, as fans called for the team to replace him with 10-time Gold Glove Award winner Nolan Arenado. "As he slumped through the first six weeks of the season — batting .190 with a .599 OPS and just one home run in his first 150 plate appearances — Muncy became a favorite target of fan ire and speculation that the Dodgers would be looking to replace him at some point," Bill Plunkett wrote for The Orange County Register. "Nolan Arenado's name became a frequent companion to Muncy's — despite the fact that Arenado was enduring his own struggles (which continue)." MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 05: Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on against the Miami Marlins in the seventh inning at loanDepot park on May 05, 2025 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by... MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 05: Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on against the Miami Marlins in the seventh inning at loanDepot park on May 05, 2025 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by) More Briggs/Getty Since then, Muncy has turned things around at the plate. In the past 36 games leading up to Thursday's win, the third baseman hit .321 with 10 homers and 39 RBI. His decision to start wearing prescription goggles might have driven the turnaround, but he also credited the Dodgers' front office for reassuring him during his harsh start to the season. "When you have as close a relationship as I do with the front office, they're up front with you and they've been up front in the past," Muncy revealed, per Plunkett. "When all that (Arenado trade) stuff came out, they called me immediately and they told me where they were at with it. I'm not going to say what they said. But if you know where the team is at with these decisions, that kind of gives you a little confidence about where you stand." The calls for a blockbuster trade replacement for Muncy have died down in recent weeks as his numbers return to their career norms. And it seems that if the Dodgers stuck with him during his slump, the team will continue to do so as he returns to form. More MLB: Bad News For Mets as $5 Million Righty Suffers Potentially Catastrophic Injury
