By a number of measures, the primary half of 2025 was successful for the Dodgers.
They completed with a 58-39 document, a half-game forward of the Cubs for the perfect within the Nationwide League and one sport behind the Tigers for the perfect within the Majors. They lead the NL West by 5 1/2 video games, even after dropping seven of their final 9 video games heading into the All-Star break.
However relying on who you ask, the Dodgers are usually not fairly happy with how the season has gone up to now.
“I feel the win-loss, the standings are nice,” supervisor Dave Roberts mentioned after Sunday’s first-half finale. “However I feel there’s simply loads of enchancment that we have to do, we have to be higher at. However yeah, I feel, the tip of the day, it’s about wins and losses. … And anticipate us to come back out weapons blazing [after the break].”
Naturally, that begged the query: Through which areas would Roberts prefer to see his group enhance?
“I feel it’s all of it,” Roberts mentioned. “The pitching, there’s some baserunning issues, protection at occasions. It’s been regular, however the pitching, the offense, we gotta get on monitor. I all the time anticipate extra from our guys, and so they anticipate the identical factor. … I’m very joyful. I won’t be exhibiting it. Good first half. However yeah, we must always wish to get higher.”
Listed here are some key storylines to observe as play resumes following the All-Star break:
One second-half aim: Preserve their gamers on the sector
Because the Dodgers are all too conscious, that is simpler mentioned than performed. They ended the primary half with 13 gamers — 11 of whom are pitchers — on the injured listing, together with high-profile names resembling Blake Snell, Max Muncy and Roki Sasaki. L.A. ought to start getting a few of these gamers again not lengthy after the break, and the target from there’s to be as near full power as potential in time for the postseason.
Possible Commerce Deadline technique: Purchase strategically
Though the Dodgers have a excessive quantity of pitcher accidents, their greatest want would possibly truly be a bat to spell the absence of Muncy, who’s anticipated to be out till at the very least the tip of August with a bone bruise in his left knee. They might additionally use one other right-handed leverage reliever, and regardless that they’re anticipating Snell again not lengthy after the break and Sasaki round late August, it by no means hurts so as to add rotation depth.
Key participant: Mookie Betts
Betts had arguably probably the most disappointing first half of any Dodger — and of his profession. His .696 OPS earlier than the All-Star break was his worst in a full season, almost 100 factors decrease than his next-closest mark (.792 in 2015). He is dealt with his place change to shortstop nicely, but when he can get up his bat, it might be extra impactful for the Dodgers than any Commerce Deadline acquisition.
Prospect to observe: SS/3B Alex Freeland (Dodgers’ No. 3 prospect, No. 41 total)
If the Dodgers do not get sufficient manufacturing from Tommy Edman, Miguel Rojas and Kiké Hernández (as soon as he is wholesome) at third base, would possibly they check out their prime infield prospect earlier than Muncy returns? Freeland has cooled down following a red-hot March/April, however he is been a productive bat for Triple-A Oklahoma Metropolis, hitting .260 with an .804 OPS and driving in 62 runs in 85 video games.
The street forward
A Main League group is a Main League group, however the true gauntlet of this season already came about for the Dodgers after they solely performed potential contenders for 4 weeks between Might and June.
That is to not say that the stretch run shall be simple, by any means. L.A. nonetheless has half of its intradivision slate remaining, which has the potential to make issues attention-grabbing within the NL West. This is a have a look at the Dodgers’ second-half schedule:
