The Los Angeles Dodgers are completely running away with the National League West. A thirteen game lead over second-place Colorado, and 8-2 for their last 10 games for what is easily the best team in the Majors. Here is this week’s rundown in the National League West.
The Dodgers swept the Colorado Rockies over the weekend, and did it in record-breaking fashion. All three games were won on walk-off home runs by rookies. Matt Beatty, Alex Verdugo and Will Smith all crushed the game winners to dash the hopes of the Rockies. Smith’s home run came just hours after being recalled from Triple-A that morning. The Dodgers are playing with confidence and swagger that no other team can match. They will look to continue their domination this week with a three-game set at Arizona, followed by a four-game weekend rematch in Denver against the Rockies.
Image courtesy of the Los Angeles Times
The Dodger sweep also said a lot about the woes of the Rockies bullpen. Quality starts by German Marquez and Antonio Senzatela, along with a nice outing by Peter Lambert, were ruined by late-inning bullpen woes. Jon Gray also pitched a four-hit shutout in the series opener against the Giants on Monday. Currently, the Rockies are holding steady for a Wild Card spot in the National League. The offense is getting it done, as they lead the National League with 438 runs scored. If they are to stay competitive, they will need to make moves at the trade deadline.
Manny Machado has finally found his stroke since signing with the San Diego Padres. In his last seven games, Machado is batting .452 with four home runs, including one in his return to Baltimore on Tuesday. He is currently on a 12-game hitting streak to top it off. If Machado stays hot, the Padres could make a run for a Wild Card spot.
A handful of NL West players made it to the final vote this week. Voting begins Wednesday at Noon ET and ends at 4 p.m. ET Thursday. The Diamondbacks Ketel Marte is in the running for second base, while the Rockies Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story will be competing at third and short respectively. In the outfield, no surprise that the Dodgers Cody Bellinger was the top vote-getter as he has had an MVP-caliber season. Charlie Blackmon of the Rockies and Joc Pederson of the Dodgers also made it to the final round. Results will be announced at 5:30 p.m. ET on Sunday.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers – Will be looking for bullpen help at the trade deadline.
2. Colorado Rockies – Hung in against the Dodgers, should be a confidence boost. Trevor Story will be out for a few weeks after injuring his thumb in Arizona. Rubber game at San Francisco on Wednesday followed by a four-game set over the weekend with the Dodgers at home.
3. San Diego Padres – Machado and the offense are heating up at the right time. Could be buyers at the trade deadline if they are in contention for a playoff spot. Weekend set with St. Louis should tell us more about this team.
4. Arizona Diamondbacks – Have lost seven of their last ten, including a sweep at home by the Rockies. On the road against the Giants this weekend.
5. San Francisco Giants – Quality start by Madison Bumgarner against the Rockies. Could he have only one more game at home in San Francisco?
Featured image courtesy of NBC Sports
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