The weekend series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees gave us a preview of what could be this year’s World Series matchup. And it didn’t disappoint. A blowout win by the Yankees against National League Cy Young candidate Hyun-Jin Ryu on Friday and matchup with little offense on Saturday gave us a glimpse of what to expect. On Sunday the Dodgers offense couldn’t match Clayton Kershaw’s dominating start. The Dodgers have a lot to play for come September. Here is the rest of what is happening in the National League West.
The Dodgers are playing for home-field advantage, as they should win the West Division title in early September. They are fending off challenges from a resurgent Braves team, who they have a seven-game lead over, and the Yankees and Astros in the American League, which the Dodgers lead is two games over both clubs. Don’t expect the Dodgers to slow down until they have home field wrapped up.
Image courtesy of the AP
The rest of the West isn’t playing for much. The Giants are four games back of the Wild Card, while the Diamondbacks are four and a half back. The Padres and Colorado theoretically are still in it, but they are playing to prepare for the 2020 season. The Mets have cooled recently, while Cubs have lost three in a row. This opens up the opportunity for the Giants and Diamondbacks.
If the season couldn’t get any worse for the Rockies, pitcher Chad Bettis has been sent to the injured list to undergo season-ending hip surgery. His name gets added to a long list of other Rockie pitchers currently on the shelf – Jon Gray, Kyle Freeland, and Tyler Anderson. Add in outfielder David Dahl and the Rockies are limping into the offseason. Colorado May have their core players rest and save them from any injury while letting their young prospects play in September.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers -Rough series against the Yankees, but still the leaders in the National League. On the road against San Diego and a critical series at Arizona.
2. San Francisco Giants – Swept the Athletics in the Bay Area Series, and at .500. Make or break time for their postseason run with home series against the Diamondbacks and Padres.
3. Arizona Diamondbacks – Have only won two of their last five series, both against the Rockies.
4. San Diego Padres – Played tough in final two games against the Red Sox, after getting blown out 11-0 in the first. Machado bating .320 in his last seven games.
5. Colorado Rockies – One of the biggest disappointments of 2019, the Rockies are playing for 2020.
Featured image courtesy of The AP
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