The Dodgers’ attack surged on Friday with an 8‑2 victory over the San Francisco Giants, a game that featured five of the team’s 19 homers in the past nine contests and helped push the club’s September run total to 97.
Shohei Ohtani, who is on a 15‑day IL, has not been available for the lineup, but manager Dave Roberts said the Japanese star is “in a good spot” after a productive stretch of three to five days, acknowledging that the team cannot count on him for consistent production.
Mookie Betts helped fill the void, hitting two home runs on Friday and posting a .333 average with seven homers and 23 RBIs over his last 25 games. Kyle Tucker has been equally hot, batting .438 with five homers and 11 RBIs in his last nine outings, while Teoscar Hernández is hitting .362 with three homers, three doubles and a triple this month.
Rookie 21‑year‑old Josue De Paula has emerged as a potential playoff‑day asset, scoring the tying run and delivering the go‑ahead double in the Giants game. In his first eight major‑league appearances he has posted a .448 on‑base percentage, drawing eight walks and striking out only twice, prompting Roberts to keep him under consideration for a DH spot.
Los Angeles is now averaging 5.71 runs per game in September, up from 4.89 through Aug. 31, and Roberts praised the balanced attack, noting that the team “hasn't dropped off” despite Ohtani’s absence. While Ohtani is expected to return to the leadoff spot, Betts’ recent success at the top of the order could give the manager flexibility.
The offensive upswing arrives with just over a week left in the regular season, positioning the Dodgers as strong contenders for a three‑peat, provided they sustain the momentum into October.