The Dodgers have been a behemoth in the National League, with ten consecutive playoff appearances and three pennants in the last decade, including the 2020 championship. But they have been a little more ordinary this season with the fourth-best record in the National League, and they are looking up in the standings to the upstart first-place Diamondbacks.
It isn’t for a lack of spending - the Dodgers are still fifth in baseball in payroll. But injuries have taken a toll - Gavin Lux, Chris Taylor, Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, and Julio Urias have all missed time.