Injury-riddled Dodgers claim NL West lead for 1st time since May
During Chase Utley's electric return to Philadelphia, the Los Angeles Dodgers used two home runs from their second baseman Tuesday to pass the San Francisco Giants for first place in the National League West.
After their victory, combined with a San Francisco loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Dodgers moved a half-game ahead of their California counterparts, taking over the division lead for the first time since May 10.
Despite their disabled list containing 16 players - 13 of which are pitchers, including ace Clayton Kershaw, who appeared to be on his way to a second MVP award before a disk herniation landed him on the 60-day DL - the Dodgers have managed to remain a contender.
Their bullpen, led by the nearly unhittable Kenley Jansen, sit behind only the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles in ERA, and are the owners of lowest mark in baseball with a .210 opponent's batting average.
Los Angeles' offense is also firing on all cylinders, thanks to impressive second halves from a number of key starters.
Post All-Star break
| PLAYER | H | HR | RBI | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yasmani Grandal | 22 | 7 | 15 | 1.051 |
| Justin Turner | 34 | 8 | 23 | 1.023 |
| Joc Pederson | 22 | 5 | 18 | 1.016 |
| Howie Kendrick | 37 | 4 | 14 | .985 |
| Corey Seager | 37 | 4 | 14 | .919 |
The Dodgers have the opportunity to pad their lead with two more games against the Phillies and a three-game set with the lowly Cincinnati Reds before two real tests come to Dodgers Stadium beginning Aug. 23 in the form of the Giants and Chicago Cubs.