Angels swept the Dodgers in a six-game set for the first time since interleague play began in 1997, snapping a long-standing learning curve for L.A. The Dodgers led into the eighth, but a bullpen that had been exposed by injuries and patchwork arms buckled, paving the way for a dramatic Angels rally that hinged on a deflected ball, a bases-loaded situation, and Logan O’Hoppe’s go-ahead two-run single.

The game also underscored Shohei Ohtani’s continued two-way impact: a first-inning triple, a heavy heater clocked near 103 mph, and a longer-than-expected stint on the mound, even as Betts and Freeman produced early offense for Los Angeles. Ohtani’s surge on the mound and at the plate keeps him at the center of fantasy and betting maps, while O’Hoppe’s late heroics put a spotlight on Angels’ depth behind him.

Dodgers had climbed nine games clear in early July, but a brutal stretch since then—four straight losses and a sub-.500 run—has them back in a tight NL West race with the Padres looming. The Padres’ five-game win streak and the looming two-series showdown over 10 days add a pressure-cooker dynamic to fantasy planning: the Dodgers’ bullpen questions remain decisive, while Ohtani’s ongoing two-way workload remains a unicorn for rosters.

From Teoscar Hernández’s late-inning strikeout to Bryce Teodosio’s defensive miscue, misplays and missed opportunities defined the Dodgers’ failure to close, while Betts extended an eight-game hitting streak and Will Smith delivered a timely homer. The weekend tilt with San Diego will likely determine the division trajectory and sharpen fantasy decision-making ahead of the August push.

Ohtani returned to Angel Stadium as a pitcher for the first time since his Tommy John rehab, but his comeback was tempered by a rising count that forced the Dodgers into a tougher fifth. He logged 4 1/3 innings, 5 earned on 80 pitches, with 50 strikes. A leadoff triple in the first helped set the tone as Los Angeles built a 3-0 lead before weathering Angels’ rally. The night featured a high-velocity dose against Mike Trout, including a run of 98-101 mph heaters and a full-count sweeper to freeze him, underscoring Ohtani’s still-elite but carefully managed return to pitching.

The Dodgers’ bullpen held until the eighth, but Logan O’Hoppe delivered the deciding blow for the Angels with a line-drive single to reclaim the lead, and Kenley Jansen closed for save number 470 as LAA_pulled off a 6-5 win. The result left the Dodgers a game behind San Diego in the NL West, with the Padres winning big earlier in the day. Interleague momentum swung firmly to the Angels, who extended their seven-game win streak against their rival from L.A., while the Padres nudged ahead in the standings and kept the pressure on Los Angeles.

Heading into Week 16 of the 2025 fantasy baseball season, several prominent players are struggling, causing significant concern for fantasy managers. Zac Gallen of the Arizona Diamondbacks, once a reliable ace, now sits with a disappointing 5.40 ERA, prompting discussions on whether to hold or drop him. Drew Rasmussen from the Tampa Bay Rays has seen his innings limited, making him a candidate to sell as well. Nolan Arenado's recent dip, coupled with ongoing injury issues, suggests a sell strategy is wise as he continues to underperform. Meanwhile, Tommy Edman and Logan O'Hoppe are also under scrutiny, with Edman’s injury and O'Hoppe's inconsistency leading to suggestions to drop them in many formats.

As we approach the All-Star break, the focus intensifies on improving pitching staff in fantasy leagues. Week 16 of 2025 offers a variety of viable starting pitcher pickups for teams struggling with injuries or inconsistency. Ryne Nelson of the Arizona Diamondbacks stands out with solid stats, including a 3.68 ERA and 1.07 WHIP, making him a worthwhile addition.

Eury Perez from the Miami Marlins is another strong candidate, showcasing promise post Tommy John surgery. Meanwhile, Mitch Keller, though part of a struggling Pirates team, has respectable numbers and could be a valuable trade target as the deadline approaches.

Brayan Bello, following a ten-strikeout complete game effort, and Trevor Rogers, steadily improving after a lackluster previous season, add depth to the waiver wire options. Adrian Houser of the White Sox has also emerged as a reliable option with impressive numbers.

In deeper leagues, Emmet Sheehan and Landen Roupp are players to consider for their potential upside. Charlie Morton, despite age concerns, continues to perform well, while Joe Boyle of the Rays offers intriguing strikeout potential in a bulk role. Rookies like Cam Schlittler of the Yankees should also be monitored closely as the regular season progresses.