Yoshinobu Yamamoto faced a brutal outing against the Milwaukee Brewers, marking the shortest start of his MLB career. The Dodgers' ace struggled early, giving up a three-run home run to Andrew Vaughn and following it with a series of unfortunate events, including a defensive error by Mookie Betts that extended the disastrous first inning. By the time manager Dave Roberts called for a reliever, Yamamoto had thrown 41 pitches and conceded five runs. The Dodgers, already missing key players like Teoscar Hernández and Tommy Edman due to injuries, could not muster a comeback, ultimately losing 9-1.

The Dodgers' lineup looked frail, managing only five hits against Brewers' Freddy Peralta, who delivered six innings of shutout ball. With their roster stretched thin, the Dodgers are hoping for a quick recovery for their injured players as they embark on a crucial road trip.

The excitement for the 2025 Home Run Derby is ramping up, as notable players are starting to accept or decline invitations. Among those who have accepted are Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh and Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr., while Cincinnati Reds' Elly De La Cruz and Los Angeles Dodgers' Teoscar Hernández have opted out. With Shohei Ohtani's impressive 29 home runs this season, he stands as a potential participant but has indicated he likely won't compete due to concerns regarding the event's new rules, which limit the number of pitches allowed per round.

Ohtani, a two-way player for the Dodgers, has previously participated in the derby but cited his ongoing recovery from elbow surgery and the limitations of the derby's format as reasons for his hesitation. He confirmed he will still take part in All-Star festivities as a starting lineup player, having secured the most fan votes in the National League.

In a power-packed showdown at Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers faced off against the Washington Nationals, highlighted by a record eight home runs in the match. Despite a solid performance from the Dodgers' Dustin May, who struck out five batters, he succumbed to three solo home runs leading to a 7-3 loss. The Nationals' youthful stars, including James Wood and CJ Abrams, showcased impressive batting, with Wood's towering 451-foot shot opening the scoring for Washington.

While the Dodgers managed home runs from Andy Pages, Will Smith, and Teoscar Hernández, their offense faltered under Jake Irvin's pitching, who struck out seven hitters. The game underscored the potent long-ball trend at Dodger Stadium this season, as climate factors could be contributing to this surge in home runs, raising discussions on how global warming may be impacting baseball.

In an exciting return to the mound, Shohei Ohtani made his first appearance as a pitcher since undergoing elbow surgery in September 2023. Ohtani's dual-threat capability remains a key asset for the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he has been thriving as a designated hitter while providing elite pitching performances. Manager Dave Roberts expressed his enthusiasm for Ohtani, confirming his inclusion in the upcoming National League All-Star coaching staff alongside Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker and Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough.

Roberts, who earned his managerial position after leading the Dodgers to the National League pennant in 2024, will have the opportunity to manage Ohtani and other Dodgers stars like Freddie Freeman and Will Smith at the All-Star Game in Atlanta. Despite the Marlins' struggles this season, McCullough's prior experience as Roberts' first base coach with the Dodgers likely influenced this coaching decision. Overall, the All-Star festivities promise to showcase some of the league's most exciting talent.

The NL West rivalry heats up as the San Francisco Giants aim to reclaim their place atop the division against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the series finale. After a split in the first two games—Giants winning the opener 6-2 and Dodgers responding with an 11-5 victory on Saturday—the teams are set to clash under the lights. Kyle Harrison, who has struggled recently, takes the mound for the Giants, while the Dodgers go with Dustin May. With both teams vying for playoff positioning, this matchup is crucial. The Dodgers are favored to win, but the odds suggest a close contest.

Teoscar Hernandez has been on fire, with a .383 average against lefties this season. His recent performance, including multiple RBIs, makes him a player to watch in this game. Betting on Hernandez could be rewarding, especially given his history against Harrison and the Dodgers' offensive momentum. As the Giants try to break the Dodgers' lead, they must capitalize on every opportunity, particularly against a pitching matchup that could favor their hitters.