Dodgers Sweep Padres in Week 22 to Hold First Place

The Los Angeles Dodgers just wrapped up a wild week. Their fortunes swung all over the place.

After a shocking sweep by the Angels, they fired back with a sweep of the Padres. That put them back on top in the NL West and gave them a season series tiebreaker over San Diego.

It wasn’t just about the wins and losses. There were historic moments, injuries, some electric pitching, and a reminder that even the best offenses can suddenly go quiet.

Just when people started doubting them, the Dodgers flipped the narrative. The Angels sweep looked like a warning sign, but three straight wins over the Padres changed everything.

Those victories didn’t just restore their lead—they locked up the crucial head-to-head tiebreaker. That could matter a ton in October.

Offense by Committee, Led by Ohtani’s Brilliance

The Dodgers got home runs from all over the lineup. Eight different players went deep this week.

Shohei Ohtani stole the show. He hit two homers, added a triple, drew seven walks, and scored seven times.

Ohtani’s run was historic, too. He crossed 700 total bases over 2024–25, joining only Babe Herman and Duke Snider in Dodger history.

Oddly, the offense went six straight games without a double—their longest stretch since 1995. Weird, right?

Still, the home runs did the trick. They outscored opponents 29-23, even with that odd stat hanging over them.

Pitching Staff Steps Up

The pitching rotation kept things steady. Blake Snell and Clayton Kershaw delivered strong starts that set the tone for the Padres series.

The bullpen backed them up, posting a sharp 3.00 ERA for the week. They kept opponents in check, especially when the bats went cold.

The Kershaw Factor

Kershaw’s presence late in the season is huge. He brings both steady starts and that intangible leadership in a clubhouse chasing another October run.

Watching him work alongside Snell just shows how much top-tier pitching depth the Dodgers have. That could be the real difference-maker down the stretch.

Injuries and Roster Moves

Not everything went the Dodgers’ way. Max Muncy landed on the injured list with a strained oblique.

To patch things up, they claimed Buddy Kennedy. He became the 2,000th player ever to wear a Dodgers uniform—kind of a fun milestone.

Impact of Muncy’s Absence

Losing Muncy hurts. He’s been a steady power bat in the heart of the lineup.

The Dodgers usually find ways to cover injuries, but his absence will really test their lineup’s flexibility in the next few weeks.

By the Numbers

The Dodgers now sit at 71-53, rocking a .567 Pythagorean win percentage. The team only hit .215 this week, but those homers kept their run differential in the black.

• Week Record: 3-3
• Runs Scored: 29
• Runs Allowed: 23
• Team Batting Average: .215
• Bullpen ERA: 3.00

Looking Ahead: A Critical Road Trip

Now comes a tough stretch. The Dodgers head to Coors Field for four games against the Rockies.

After that, they get another shot at the Padres in San Diego. Coors Field might help them break the doubles drought, but it’s always a headache for pitchers—especially after such a strong week on the mound.

NL West Race Intensifies

The NL West standings are tight. The postseason picture is starting to take shape.

Whether the Dodgers can carry momentum into September might end up defining their whole season. Ohtani’s historic production and Kershaw’s steady arm give them a real shot.

This team knows how to bounce back from adversity. Every game from here on out feels critical—there’s just no room to coast anymore.

This past week brought another twist. Honestly, these Dodgers have the resilience and star power to face slumps and still rise when it counts.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Dodgers Week 22: Sweeping the Padres to stay in first place