The Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks are in the middle of an electrifying four-game series, and so far, it’s been a rollercoaster. The Dodgers have come out on top in the first two games, winning 10-9 and 8-6. They now hold a solid six-game lead in the National League West over both the Diamondbacks and the San Diego Padres.
Manager Dave Roberts praised the intense competition. “A lot of grit and fight from both teams,” he said after Saturday’s victory. “Those guys gave us all we could handle.”
The Dodgers‘ game started with a bang as Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman each hit a home run in succession. This was a first in Dodgers’ history, with their first three batters homering in a single game. The game was ultimately decided by Tommy Edman’s crucial two-run single in the ninth inning.
Edman, who joined the Dodgers from the St. Louis Cardinals at the trade deadline, shared his excitement. “I was lucky to hit it into the perfect spot,” he said. “It’s my first big hit with this team, and it feels great to play a key role in this win.”
Ohtani’s homer was his 44th of the season. He didn’t steal a base in this game, so his total remains at 43 as he chases the historic 50-50 season milestone.
The Dodgers have been on a hot streak, going 19-8 in August. They’ve won four straight games and 10 of their last 12. In contrast, the Diamondbacks had a strong August with an 18-9 record but have struggled recently, losing four of their last five games.
They’re now in a tight race for the NL’s top wild-card spot with the Padres. After trailing by four games at the start of this series, the Diamondbacks need to win both remaining games to get back within four games of the Dodgers.
Arizona manager Torey Lovullo praised his team’s performance, saying, “It was a good game. We fought hard, but we came up just short.”
Diamondbacks’ standout Corbin Carroll hit an inside-the-park homer and has now homered in five consecutive games. Despite falling behind 3-0 early, Arizona rallied to tie the game twice, showcasing their resilience.
“Lovullo highlighted that this is one of the team’s greatest qualities.” “Their intensity and focus never waver. We were down 3-0 early, but we battled back.”
On Sunday, the Diamondbacks will start right-hander Brandon Pfaadt, who has an 8-7 record and a 4.31 ERA. He’ll look to rebound from a tough outing where he gave up eight runs in 4 2/3 innings against the New York Mets. Pfaadt previously beat the Dodgers in May but has struggled in his career starts against them, holding a 1-2 record with a 6.75 ERA.
The Dodgers are set to call up left-hander Justin Wrobleski (1-1, 4.68 ERA) from Triple-A Oklahoma City for his sixth start of the season. In his most recent outing, he secured a win against the St. Louis Cardinals, even though he allowed three home runs. Wrobleski has not yet faced the Diamondbacks.
As the Dodgers and Diamondbacks continue their thrilling series, fans can expect more high-stakes action as both teams battle for crucial wins.
