The Dodgers just can’t seem to find their rhythm, can they? After dropping two of three to the Athletics—who rolled out in green, yellow, and white jerseys—maybe L.A. should consider mixing up their uniforms just for a spark. (Kidding, of course. The Dodgers still boast one of the most iconic looks in all of baseball.)
But jokes aside, they do need something to jumpstart their offense.
Next up: a visit to Cincinnati, where the Reds are heating up at just the right time. Fresh off a series win over the Mets and a three-game sweep of the Rays, Cincinnati is now 6-3 since the All-Star break and riding a four-game winning streak. The surge has pushed them to within one game of a National League Wild Card spot, nestled between the Padres and Giants.
Much of that charge is being led by Elly De La Cruz, who is dominating nearly every major offensive category for the Reds—except for on-base percentage, triples, and walks. Everything else? Elly owns it.
In their sweep of Tampa Bay, the Reds outscored the Rays 15–5—despite hitting just two home runs all weekend. Most of their runs came the old-fashioned way: aggressive baserunning, smart situational hitting, and grinding out at-bats. Manager Terry Francona emphasized that style of play after Sunday’s win:
“They were meaningful, very meaningful,” Francona said of the early runs. “And they were kind of hustle plays, too. We didn’t knock the ball around the ballpark, but we run the bases, get down the line, they keep their heads up. Because of that, the music was playing [in the clubhouse].”
The Reds are also reportedly shopping for bullpen reinforcements ahead of the trade deadline. In the meantime, the Dodgers may catch a break Monday, as Cincinnati relievers Tony Santillan and Emilio Pagán have both pitched three straight days and will likely be unavailable for the opener.
On the mound for the Reds will be rookie right-hander Chase Burns. He’s still looking for his first major league win (0-2, 6.65 ERA), but the strikeouts are piling up—he’s recorded 10 punchouts in each of his last two starts.
The Dodgers counter with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who’s coming off a solid but abbreviated outing against the Twins. He allowed just one run over five innings, walking one and striking out eight.
The weather could play a factor this week: it’ll be hot and humid in Cincinnati, with game-time temperatures in the 90s throughout the series. Monday’s forecast even includes a chance of thunderstorms right around first pitch.
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