Dodgers Heating Up as Postseason Push Begins
The Los Angeles Dodgers are finding their rhythm at a crucial point in the season, winning back-to-back series against the Cincinnati Reds and Tampa Bay Rays before splitting the first two games of their current homestand against the St. Louis Cardinals.
By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
The Los Angeles Dodgers are finding their rhythm at a crucial point in the season, winning back-to-back series against the Cincinnati Reds and Tampa Bay Rays before splitting the first two games of their current homestand against the St. Louis Cardinals.
After dropping the opener 3–2, the Dodgers bounced back in a big way with a 12–6 rout of St. Louis at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday night.
Muncy Returns, Sparks Offense
The game marked the return of third baseman Max Muncy, who had been sidelined for a month with a bone bruise sustained in a collision. Muncy made his presence known in just his second game back, going 4-for-5 with two home runs, four RBIs, and three runs scored.
He homered twice off Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas, launching a 416-foot blast to right in the first inning and following with a 404-foot shot in the third. In Monday’s series opener, Muncy had gone hitless in three at-bats.
Teoscar Hernández also had a huge night, finishing 4-for-5 with two home runs, four RBIs, and two runs scored. Mookie Betts snapped out of a slump, going 3-for-5, including a double in the third inning that ended an 0-for-22 drought.
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Emmet Sheehan delivers to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Ohtani, Sheehan Contribute to Victory
Shohei Ohtani added two hits and scored three runs, helping power a Dodgers lineup that erupted for 17 hits—far more than the team’s total in the previous game.
Starter Emmet Sheehan delivered a solid performance on the mound, allowing no runs on four hits over five innings. The right-hander struck out five and walked one, improving to 3–2 on the season. Sheehan is part of a six-man rotation the team plans to use for at least another week.
Mikolas, Cardinals Falter Early
Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas struggled, giving up five earned runs in just three innings to fall to 6–9. St. Louis’ bullpen offered little relief, allowing six more earned runs as the Dodgers offense rolled.
Roster Moves: Edman Sidelined Again
While Muncy returned to the lineup, utility man Tommy Edman was placed on the injured list with a right ankle sprain. He suffered the injury while rounding first base during Sunday’s road game against Tampa Bay. Edman had previously missed time in May with a similar injury and had been hitting just .214 with a .273 on-base percentage over a 56-game span.
Manager Dave Roberts said the team won’t rush Edman’s return.
“Where we’re at on the calendar,” Roberts explained, “we’ve got to make sure we do everything on the front end so we don’t have a setback.”
The Dodgers, now 66–48, continue to lead the NL West as they look to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.
