Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
The Los Angeles Dodgers took three-of-four from the Arizona Diamondbacks, leaving an imprint on the National League West as they continue their run of terrific play.
As it stands, the Dodgers have a five-game lead over the San Diego Padres, jumping the Diamondbacks, who are now six games back in the division.
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman led the team in the four-game set this past weekend, going 6-for-15 with four homers and 10 RBI.
While the series gave the Dodgers some breathing room in the division, the veteran slugger emphasized it’s still too early to be watching the standings, per Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“I mean, we still have 20-plus games left,” said Freeman, who returned from getting a series off to hit four home runs and drive in 10 runs against the Diamondbacks. “So if you’re looking at division leads this early in September, you’re doing the wrong thing.”
The Dodgers won the season series over the Diamondbacks, meaning they’ll hold the tiebreaker if their respective records at the end of the regular season line up even, so Los Angeles would get the nod.
Looking back to last season, the Dodgers went 100-62 in the regular season, winning the NL West by 16 games. The Diamondbacks wound up rumbling their way on a hot streak, eventually losing to the Texas Rangers in the World Series.
Freeman giving acknowledgement that complacency is something the Dodgers are hoping to avoid bodes well for their final month of regular season play.
What’s ahead for the Dodgers
Starting on Tuesday, the Dodgers head to Angel Stadium for a quick two-game set against the Los Angeles Angels in the Freeway Series.
A pair of right-handers, Walker Buehler and Bobby Miller, are penciled in as the Dodgers starters. They’ll face Reid Detmers and Griffin Canning, both of whom have struggled this year.
The combined earned run averages of the starting pitchers might be the highest in Major League Baseball this season, but the return of Shohei Ohtani in the regular season should draw a lot of fan interest on both days.
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