The Dodgers’ first half seemed like a disappointment, despite their record and lead in the NL West. They have been a second half team, and look to show more domination moving forward
And so begins the second half of the 2025 season.
The first half almost seemed like a disappointment, despite being riddled with key injuries and still having the best record in the NL, and second-best overall. (Losing seven games in a row at the end of the first half did not help.)
This team started the season with the highest of expectations, and those are still upon them. The good news is that from here on out, the Dodgers should start to regain those players lost to injury. Blake Snell looks to be well on his way back to rejoining the team. Tyler Glasnow will start the first game of this second half, having returned right before the All-Star break. The offense is going to get back on track. The one trouble spot is the bullpen, and no doubt Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman will address that at the trade deadline. Blake Treinen is expected to return before August as well.
This season is echoing the trajectory of last season, and if that continues all the way through October, well, sign me up.
The Dodgers begin their championship repeat quest at home, against the Brewers and their elite pitching staff, who just manhandled the Dodgers in Milwaukee before the break.
The good news is the Dodgers will not have to face Jacob Misiorowski this series. The bad news is they have to face a staff that allowed the Dodgers to score four runs total in that series.
Friday’s matchup will be between Glasnow and right-hander Quinn Priester, who sits at 7-2 with a 3.55 ERA. Priester, a sinkerball pitcher, has found a groove with the Brewers, owning a .233 BAA and inducing a 58% ground ball rate.
Glasnow faced the Brewers in his first start back from the IL on July 9th, and he went 5.0 innings, allowing only two hits and no runs.
Hopefully, the All-Star break gave some rest and a reset to the offense. The Dodgers historically have been a second-half team, and they have an easier schedule than the first half. If the offense gets back on track and they can avoid any more key injuries, we’ll be back to October domination again.