The Los Angeles Dodgers return to Chavez Ravine on Monday night with a 43–29 record, leading the NL West by two games and welcoming division rival San Diego for a crucial showdown that also marks Shohei Ohtani’s highly anticipated return to the mound. Despite an unprecedented stretch of injuries to their pitching staff—14 pitchers currently on the IL including Roki Sasaki, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow—the Dodgers have maintained their division lead thanks to one of the most explosive offenses in baseball and a relentless next-man-up mentality throughout the roster. Monday’s game will see Ohtani pitch for the first time since August 2023 in a brief “piggyback” appearance, likely working just one inning as he continues his two-way comeback following Tommy John surgery. While his pitching role remains limited, his impact at the plate has been immense; Ohtani leads the team with a .297 average, 25 home runs, and a 1.035 OPS, making him a frontrunner once again for MVP honors. He’s supported by a stacked lineup that includes Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Teoscar Hernández, each of whom brings power, discipline, and experience in big moments. The Dodgers have averaged a league-leading 5.83 runs per game this season, consistently applying pressure early and generating big innings even when trailing. They’ve relied heavily on their offense to carry them through tight spots during this injury-laden stretch, and the results have been impressive—particularly in games where the bullpen has been able to protect narrow leads.

That bullpen, while fatigued from constant usage, has been stabilized in part by the emergence of new arms and clutch performances from veterans like Ryan Brasier and Alex Vesia. Manager Dave Roberts has had to be creative with his rotation and bullpen structure due to the absence of regular starters, but the team has responded well, going 5–2 straight up in their last seven games against San Diego. Still, they’ve struggled against the spread, going just 1–7 ATS in their last eight games, often winning but failing to cover due to narrow margins and late-game runs allowed. Defensively, the Dodgers remain efficient, with Betts excelling in his transition to second base and Will Smith continuing to manage the pitching staff with elite game-calling behind the plate. Against the Padres, the Dodgers know they’ll need to keep their foot on the gas offensively, especially with San Diego’s bullpen ranking among the best in the National League. The key for Los Angeles will be jumping out early during Ohtani’s scheduled inning and then maintaining that momentum through the middle frames with aggressive at-bats and smart baserunning. This game also offers a major emotional lift—not just for the team but for the fanbase—as Ohtani’s return to pitching marks a symbolic chapter in the franchise’s season-long battle with adversity. A win on Monday would not only solidify the Dodgers’ hold on the division but would also serve as a reminder that even with a bruised rotation, their roster is deep, talented, and still built to contend at the highest level. The atmosphere will be electric, the spotlight intense, and if the Dodgers can pair Ohtani’s return with a victory over their closest division challenger, it could be the type of moment that defines the trajectory of their summer.