If there are any lessons to be learned from watching the 2018 Dodgers, a team stocked with supreme talent and capable of producing acute irritation, it is that the route to a sixth consecutive division title will not be smooth. A sweep of Colorado this week cleared a path to capture the National League West — only to see the Dodgers promptly trip over their own feet in a 5-3 loss to San Diego.
The defeat recalled an exasperating pattern of play established over the few weeks. While separating themselves from division rivals Colorado and Arizona, the Dodgers have given up games to inferior competition.