The Los Angeles Dodgers are rolling, plain and simple, hitting their last series of the season's first half as the *only* team in MLB with 60 or more wins. They've got a massive 14.5 game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks right now, which is just wild. But even with that kind of dominance, all eyes are on Shohei Ohtani, who's making his final start before the All-Star break, and honestly, we're all wondering what's up with the ace.
Ohtani's Health Issues Are Raising Eyebrows
Here's the deal: Ohtani's start got pushed back from Wednesday, and the word is he's still battling some lingering health issues. That's a huge red flag for any team, let alone one expecting him to anchor their rotation. Because of this start, he won't even be pitching in the Mid-Summer Classic, which tells you it's serious enough to impact his schedule. And his recent numbers? Not exactly lighting the world on fire. Over his last three games, Ohtani has given up three, two, and four runs respectively. Sure, two of those were quality starts, but it's a noticeable dip from how he kicked off the season. Contrast that with his last outing against these very D-Backs in June, where he was lights out, allowing just two hits in six shutout innings. What version of Ohtani are we getting tonight? That's the million-dollar question.Eduardo Rodriguez Is The D-Backs' Secret Weapon
While Ohtani's been a bit shaky, the guy on the other side of the mound for the D-Backs, Eduardo Rodriguez, is absolutely carving. He's already faced the Dodgers' lineup twice this season and has only given up a single run through 11 innings pitched. Think about that for a second. His overall ERA is a slick 2.25, but get this: over his last three games, it's an absurd 1.37, with just three walks issued. The dude has held opponents to two or fewer runs in 14 of his 18 starts this season. That's some serious consistency. The Dodgers' offense, by the way, has been "a little lethargic lately." If Rodriguez keeps dealing like this, he's going to keep that offense completely locked down. Ketel Marte and Corbin Carroll are leading the charge for the D-Backs' offense, a team that sits at 46-47 and is tied for second in the NL West with the Padres, who they just split a four-game series with. Tonight's game is at Dodger Stadium at 7:10 p.m., and it's not just another game. It's Ohtani's chance to show his health isn't a long-term problem before the break, and for the Dodgers' offense to prove they aren't actually "lethargic" against a red-hot pitcher. This is also their last home series until July 28th, with a monster 10-game East Coast road trip coming up after the All-Star break. Big time stuff on the line, folks!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.