The Dodgers experienced a week of mixed results, highlighted by significant milestones and challenges, as they swept the White Sox, faced a setback losing Max Muncy, and were swept themselves by the Astros. In comparison, the rest of the National League West had noteworthy developments.
The San Francisco Giants emerged as the only team in the division to post a winning record for the week, finishing 4-3. Shortstop Willy Adames showcased an impressive performance, going 11-for-26 (.423) with four RBIs, including a standout pair of three-hit games leading to a victory against the A’s on Saturday, complemented by a home run and three RBIs on Sunday.
Justin Verlander struggled in his start with the Giants, allowing six runs over three innings against the A’s. This continues a challenging season for Verlander, who remains winless in 14 starts, clocking a 4.94 ERA.
On a positive note, Clayton Kershaw achieved a remarkable career milestone with his 3,000th strikeout, while Padres’ Manny Machado is on the verge of reaching his own milestone with just two hits shy of 2,000 career hits.
Dylan Cease faced a difficult outing against the Phillies, resulting in a 3-8 record for the season with a 4.62 ERA, raising discussions about whether the Padres should consider trading the pending free agent. However, there was some optimism for San Diego as Yu Darvish is set to make his season debut soon.
Corbin Carroll made his return after a two-and-a-half-week recovery from a wrist injury, though he struggled initially, going 0-for-9 with five strikeouts in his first two games back.
The Arizona Diamondbacks had a mixed week, splitting a four-game series against the Giants before losing two out of three games to the Royals. Meanwhile, the Colorado Rockies faced off against the White Sox, with the former losing two of three.
The NL West standings reflect the competitive nature of the division, with the Dodgers leading and teams vying for playoff positioning as the season progresses.
In the upcoming week, the Dodgers will face the Brewers and Giants, while the Giants will engage with the Phillies and Dodgers. Additionally, the Padres will host the Diamondbacks for a four-game series, followed by a matchup against the Phillies, creating a week filled with critical divisional battles and potential shifts in standings.