Dodgers Way Quick Hits: NL West Streak in Jeopardy

PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 26: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers breaks his bat after popping out in the fifth inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 26, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 26: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers breaks his bat after popping out in the fifth inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 26, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /
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The Dodgers fell apart in the late innings Wednesday night, and as a result their NL West title streak is in serious peril.

The Dodgers season has been streaky throughout the year.  After starting off a Los Angeles franchise worst ten games under 500, the Dodgers have had streaks where they look like they’re back to last year’s form, and then other streaks where you wonder how a team with so much talent could be this bad.

Now the Dodgers are a half game back of the Rockies and depending what kind of effort the Phillies put up today, the Dodgers will be either one game back entering the final series, or tied for first place in the NL West.  If we’re being honest, the Phillies checked out weeks ago so the Dodgers will be one game back entering their final series in San Francisco.

If the Dodgers want to win the division, they will likely need to win out and sweep the Giants which is no small task.  The Rockies will likely drop one game to the Nationals this weekend but dropping two games is far fetched.  If the Dodgers sweep the Giants that should be good enough to force a tiebreaker game Monday in Los Angeles.

Other news…

More from LA Dodgers News

  • Justin Turner took a hot shot ground ball off the left thumb last night after Paul Goldschmidt scorched a hard ground ball at Turner.  Turner underwent X-rays after the game which turned out negative but it will be interesting to see if it affects his swing this weekend.
  • Rich Hill will be unavailable this weekend even if the Dodgers go all hands on deck, because he would start a potential NL West tie breaker on Monday.  If the Dodgers capture the second wildcard spot then Hill will most likely start Tuesday in either Chicago or Milwaukee.
  • The Dodgers decision to start Ross Stripling yesterday was an interesting one.  In the second half, Stripling has a 6.41 ERA and an 0-4 record.  Opposing batters are hitting over .300 against Stripling.  Alex Wood on the other hand, has a 3.25 ERA in the second half even with his recent struggles.

Next. Five players crucial to the Dodgers postseason hopes. dark

  • Despite losing two of three to the Padres, no records are needed when the Dodgers go to San Francisco this weekend.  The Giants would love nothing more than to knock the Dodgers out of the playoffs and they are throwing their top two starters in Madison Bumgarner and Dereck Rodriguez.  Wins will not come easy in the bay.