Dodgers Bullpen Woes Sink Team's Division Lead

In a surprising turn of events, the Los Angeles Dodgers, who were expected to win 120 games this season, have fallen behind the San Diego Padres in the National League West standings as of 2025-08-14T10:34:59+00:00. The Dodgers' once-dominant lead has dwindled, and their bullpen woes have become a significant factor in their recent struggles.

The Dodgers' front office focused more on improving their farm system than addressing the obvious issues in the bullpen at the trade deadline. This decision has resulted in a series of blown leads, with relievers giving up runs in four of the team's last seven games. The recent activation of Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell has bolstered the starting pitching, but the bullpen's inability to close out games has negated these improvements.

The Padres, on the other hand, have been on a tear, winning 14 of their last 17 games to overtake the Dodgers, who were nine games ahead on July 3. The Padres fortified their lineup and bullpen at the trade deadline, making them a formidable opponent for the struggling Dodgers.

The next 10 days could be the most crucial stretch of the regular season for the Dodgers, as they are set to face the Padres six times, both at Dodger Stadium and Petco Park. The Dodgers' momentum is entirely different from the Padres', as a sense of impending doom seems to loom over the team whenever their starting pitcher departs a game.