Editor’s note: This story appears in the Dodger Insider magazine for homestand six (available at parking gates at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium while supplies last).

by Megan Garcia

The Dodger clubhouse was busier than usual after a game early in the season. Dodger personnel bustled to load the team truck with equipment and uniforms ahead of the first road trip in 2026.

A clubhouse attendant grabbed Andy Pages’ bat bag to carry it out to the loading dock when the 25-year-old outfielder said he needed to check to see if something was inside.

The bats knocked against each other with each push as he frantically looked through the bag.

When Pages looked up, there was concern in his eyes: “Where’s my red bat?”

It’s just a batting practice bat, but to Pages it represents something more — preparation and comfort.

It’s those two words that help explain why Pages was one of the most productive bats in a Dodger lineup of All-Stars and Silver Slugger Award winners heading into June.

The numbers back up that feeling. He was one of the National League’s best hitters through May. He is pacing to surpass nearly all of his offensive career highs by the end of the season.

And with the All-Star Game in the near distance, Pages — an easygoing guy off the field — plays it cool at the mention of him possibly representing the Dodgers in Philadelphia on July 14.

“Honestly, I don’t worry too much about, ‘I have to achieve this’ or ‘I have to hit that mark,’” Pages says. “It just puts extra weight on me that doesn’t make sense right now. My goal is simply to be better today than I was yesterday and be better tomorrow than today.”

Pages started the season on a tear, as he claimed National League Player of the Week after going 14-for-24 with two homers and seven RBI, slashing .583/.615/.917/1.532, in six games during the first full week of the season.

He spent the entire month of April in the NL top five in batting average, and entering June, he was leading the Major Leagues in RBI. His 56 RBI, as of June 17, were tied for the National League lead.

It’s been a good way to move on from the 2025 postseason — which now feels distant.

Pages doesn’t have a sour taste in his mouth when he talks about the Dodgers’ championship run in 2025. He learned about turning the page and doing it faster once he became a defensive replacement after a 4-for-50 stretch in 14 postseason starts.

But Pages still found a way to become a hero in Game 7 of the World Series.

He prevented the Blue Jays from scoring the title-clinching run in the bottom of the ninth with an incredible catch. His collision with Kiké Hernández on the warning track was one of the pivotal moments for the Dodgers in Game 7.

Now, he has truly moved forward as a hitter.

“(The postseason) showed him that where his swing was at that point wasn’t enough. When you talk about top-caliber big league players, they can beat up on mid-velocity and put up big numbers during the regular season, which is still hard to do,” says Dodger hitting coach Aaron Bates. “But in the postseason, if your swing isn’t buttoned up, it’s going to get exposed by the best power arms.

“What he’s really done is tighten the gap between his worst and best swing. If your worst swing is still in that B or B‑plus range and your best is an A‑plus, that plays every day.”

Pages is now better at loading with his bottom half and is more in balance when pitchers attack him away.

Pages found himself out of whack in late April this season because he strayed away from his “A-plus” swing. The tell-tale sign was six hits in nine games (.194). He located the misalignment in early May in St. Louis when diving deep into videos of his swing.

It was emblematic of the lessons he learned in October.

He got back into his bottom half, and the hits started coming again as he hit .333 in the following 10 games. And while the Dodger offense scuffled through late April and early May, Pages was one of the team’s most reliable hitters.

“When things start to go south, you feel you can’t stop it,” says manager Dave Roberts. “(Zero)-for-4 turns into 1-for-20 pretty quickly, and that’s what happened last year at the end of the year. He had a little swoon and (took) walks or got a hit here and there to kind of do some damage until (he) got his swing back.”

When Pages struggled in the postseason and exited the starting lineup in the last three games of the World Series, it moved Tommy Edman to center field from second base and Miguel Rojas into the lineup at second.

The veteran infielder Rojas now reflects on how impressed he has been by Pages’ commitment to the bigger picture and also improving his skills.

On the batting side, the game that proved it the most, in Rojas’ opinion, was Pages’ three-home game against the Astros on May 6.

“This game has a lot of ups and downs. The best thing that we can do is give him the tools to find his own path of success, not just in April and May, but to stay strong in the playoffs, as well,” Rojas says. “That’s the player that he wants to be. He really cares, and it doesn’t matter where they put him in the lineup.”

While Pages has been a steady presence in the Dodger lineup in 2026 (as he was in 2025 when he hit 27 home runs), he still considers himself a novice to the game. He looks to the team’s superstar hitters for guidance, even though some could say Pages has been doing much of the offense’s heavy lifting thus far.

“We cleaned up some things with my mechanics and got those resolved, but more than anything, we all knew we had to improve the game plan against pitchers,” Pages says. “Last year, I felt I had a good plan and good results, but we thought we could keep making it better, keep adding little details that could help me this year. So far, it’s worked.”

He spends hours studying opposing pitchers to recognize their release points and pitch characteristics. Pages collaborated with Dodger hitting coaches during the offseason to make that a focus area in his game-planning.

And in games, he leaves the red bat behind to swing a black bat.

He finds a thrill in trying to beat the game’s elite pitchers at their own game.

Whatever he’s swinging with, he’s comfortable. That’s proven to be a bad thing for opposing pitchers.

Dodger Insider magazine: Andy Pages has turned the page was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

by Senji Torrey

Alex Vesia got within one out of closing out a tight Rays matchup on Wednesday.

But in the blink of an eye, two walks loaded the bases. Then, Cedric Mullins racked up a full count.

Vesia knew what he had to do:

“It’s just kind of (let it go) and throw versus trying to place the ball,” Vesia said. “It works from time to time.”

It definitely worked on Wednesday.

The fateful throw, an 84-mph slider, induced a whiff that swung the door shut in a 5–4 victory and series sweep over the Rays.

Vesia, who earned his third save of the season on Wednesday, relied on the slider to get the final out. His final two strikes — both swinging — were against the slider.

“I threw the slider (earlier in the at-bat) and that just felt really good coming out of my hand. The fastball was up, and so I just pretty much told myself, ‘Do exactly what I did on the other slider,’” Vesia said. “Thankfully, that was a strike and swing-and-miss, so I’ll take it.”

Vital to the final sequence was battery mate Dalton Rushing, who visited the mound four times in the final frame to both calm Vesia’s nerves and energize the spirited reliever.

“It’s not a lot of guys out there that you can go up there and just pound their chest or something and expect them to respond the way you want,” Rushing said. “I wasn’t really worried about him being able to make a big pitch in a big spot. He’s done that multiple times in his career. It was just a boost of confidence, really.”

Vesia has been a reliable arm this season, especially in these closing situations. His 2.59 ERA ranks third among Dodger relievers with at least 20 innings pitched in 2026. He also has two saves in three opportunities.

Vesia has now engineered five consecutive scoreless outings. He has given up only one run (or more) in three out of his 33 appearances this season. His Wednesday performance contributed to the bullpen’s nine scoreless innings throughout the Tampa Bay series.

The Dodgers’ bullpen posted just four scoreless outings in their next 19 games leading up to the Rays series — this coming after leading the league with a 2.87 ERA on May 24 amidst 11 straight scoreless games.

The Rays series saw the relief corps fall back into step with nine scoreless innings in the series across six pitchers.

“We believe in our guys in here, I certainly do,” Vesia said. “We’re going to have ups and downs, but I think it helps us grow at the end of the day, so that adversity right now will help us in the postseason.”

Alex Vesia swoops in for another vital save was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

by Mark Langill

Fresh off a three-game sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays with a 5–4 victory on Wednesday afternoon at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers can take a breath.

Thursday is an off day after three straight one-run victories over the visiting Rays.

Freddie Freeman helped on Wednesday.

With the Dodgers trailing by a run in the bottom of the sixth, Freeman hit his 12th home run of the year. His two-run shot gave the Dodgers a 5–4 lead.

But it was hold your breath in the ninth.

With a full count and the bases loaded, Alex Vesia’s final pitch was an 84 mph slider that Cedric Mullins swung through. Vesia earned the save with his 28th pitch of the inning.

“He’s high energy, so any piece of confidence I can throw his way is going to help him,” Rushing said. “There aren’t a lot of guys that you can go out there and pound their chest and expect them to respond the way you want. I thought he was missing his fastball up and I knew there could be an adjustment made with his delivery.

“I really wasn’t worried about him making a big pitch in that situation. He’s done that multiple times in his career.”

Shohei Ohtani entered the game with a 1.06 ERA. It jumped to 1.47 after allowing four earned runs on seven hits in six innings. But this was with a knee with lingering inflammation and a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand.

“It’s just part of the game,” Ohtani said. “There aren’t a lot of sitations where you feel 100 percent. It’s big we were able to win a game like this.”

Ohtani cruised through four scoreless innings. A leadoff walk to №7 hitter Victor Mesa Jr. started a four-run outburst that included a double to center off the wall by former Dodger catcher Hunter Feduccia.

The damage could’ve been worse when Mullins pulled a grounder toward left field. Third baseman Tommy Edman, making his first start of the season after being sidelined due to surgery on his right ankle, made a diving stop. Edman whirled and fired the ball to second baseman Alex Freeland, who needed a diving stop of his own to complete a force play and prevent Edman’s throw from sailing into left field.

Freddie Freeman powers Dodgers past Rays for a series sweep was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

by Megan Garcia

The drama in a pitcher’s duel can be few and far between. But the one on Tuesday between the Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays didn’t have the time to fit in any type of drama.

The 1–0 shutout by Justin Wrobleski and the Dodger bullpen was the ninth of its kind this season. And in 112 minutes played, it was also the shortest game played by the Dodgers since Oct. 4, 1992, in Houston when they played nine innings in 104 minutes.

Manager Dave Roberts credited Wrobleski for setting the pace.

“The thing that pleased me the most about tonight is the way that (Wrobleski) continued to go after guys. Obviously, it was a fast game. The pace of play was great. There was a rhythm to it,” Roberts said. “(Rays starter Drew) Rasmussen is a very good pitcher; we don’t see him very often. This guy’s an elite pitcher and for us to find a way (with) Shohei hitting a homer to win an old-school baseball game, one to nothing under two hours, it was a really fun baseball game to be a part of.”

Wrobleski isn’t known for swing-and-miss stuff. And strikeouts aren’t top of mind for the left-hander. He just wants to record the out in the most effective way possible.

That method of operation anchored him through six scoreless innings against the Rays. He finished with 67 pitches (50 strikes), which is the fewest he has thrown in a single start. The limited pitch count was due to Wrobleski pitching on shorter rest (four days) compared to the usual six-day turn this year.

“My goal is to go out there and pitch until they take the ball away from me. Whenever that may be, that’s when I come out of the game,” Wrobleski said. “I’m aware that they’re trying to protect me, and this organization especially does a great job to try and protect your arm and keep you ready for the season and October baseball.”

The Rays were hitless against Wrobleski’s fastball. Seven balls were put in play against it and only one left the infield, which was a fly out to center to start the sixth.

Wrobleski finished with five strikeouts and three hits allowed in the six scoreless frames. It was his eighth quality start of the season.

Rasmussen has been a tough pitcher to score against in 2026. His 2.59 ERA ranks eighth in Major League Baseball, while his 0.88 WHIP ranks third overall. The Rays starter blanked the Dodgers through the first five frames, extending his scoreless inning streak to 19 innings.

Ohtani ended that stretch with a home run on the first pitch in the sixth.

Ohtani’s sixth-inning homer was his 15th of the season. He trails Max Muncy by one for the Dodger lead.

“You just come to expect him to do whatever he does, that’s just of him,” Wrobleski said. “He’s the best player of all time. It’s been really fun to watch, and I’m just super lucky and blessed to be able to be his teammate and watch him play. It’s been super cool.”

Roberts said Ohtani will be the starting pitcher in the series finale against the Rays on Wednesday, but will not be in the lineup as a hitter.

Justin Wrobleski leads Dodger shutout in lightning speed was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

by Senji Torrey

Tommy Edman will make his return to the Dodger lineup on Wednesday after a right ankle surgery sidelined him for the first three months of the season.

“It’s been too long,” Edman said. “(I’ve) just been the best cheerleader I can be, and now I get to actually contribute.”

Edman makes his return after a three-week stint with Triple-A affiliate Oklahoma City. He slashed .275/.351/.392/.743 with a home run and three RBI in 14 games.

“It definitely got a lot better in the first couple weeks, and then by the time the third week came around, it felt totally normal,” Edman said about his progression in Triple-A.

The 31-year-old underwent right ankle surgery in November after the team’s 2025 championship run.

Edman has been battling the ongoing right ankle injury since the Dodgers acquired him on July 29,2024 from the St. Louis Cardinals.

“After speaking with the doctor, we determined that (the surgery) was going to have a high success (rate) and high probability of getting back to 100 percent,” Edman said. “The good thing was I saw progress with every step along the way. It just wasn’t as fast as I expected.”

The second baseman’s right ankle sidelined him for two injured list stints in May and August last season. While the early-season inflammation kept him out for just two weeks, the August sprain sidelined him for over a month.

Despite the setbacks, Edman contributed handily to the Dodgers’ efforts in 2025. While he played most of his games at second base, Edman also filled in at third base and center field. He slashed .225/.274/.382/.655 as a switch-hitter in 2025.

Manager Dave Roberts plans to use Edman in this flex capacity — slotting him primarily at second base, but also giving him time at third base and even left field.

The 2024 National League Championship Series MVP’s return will add even more depth to the Dodgers’ lineup.

“(It) gives guys some opportunities, (like) some younger guys. I think that’s great,” Roberts said. “You have guys like Tommy and Kiké (Hernández), and making them buy into their whatever roles that we have for them, and they’ve done that really positively.”

It will also give the Dodgers flexibility with Miguel Rojas as a starter or pinch-hitter/defensive replacement.

“He’s one of our better hitters versus left-handed pitching, so if there’s an opportunity to get him in there to get three at-bats versus a starter, then I’m going to think very closely about that.” Roberts said.

Tommy Edman set to make his long-awaited Dodger return was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

by Cary Osborne

Monday was the Kyle Tucker — the power-hitting, game-changing bat and impact right fielder.

A three-run home run, an outfield assist, a pair of hits.

“When it’s clicking, he’s one of the better players in the game,” manager Dave Roberts said after the Dodgers’ 4–3 win against the Rays.

Tucker was open after the game. It hasn’t been clicking — yet.

The tell-tale sign of things going right is consistency. And there have been a couple of runs this season where it’s felt like he was about to take off.

April 3–18: 14 games, three home runs, 11 RBI, a .296/.400/.481/.881 slash line

May 4–17: 12 games, seven extra-base hits, a .333/.458/.564/1.022 slash line

That’s a third of the season where he batted .312/.425/.516/.941.

But in each case, he couldn’t sustain it. Tucker said his swing just hasn’t felt right all season. His bat path, his timing — things haven’t synced up like they have in the past for the four-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger.

“It’s been maybe an at-bat or two, or like one game it felt fine or something, but not for a long duration of games,” Tucker said. “There’ve been some at-bats where I’m like, ‘Oh, that was good, hopefully it’ll translate for the next at-bat, the next game, and it kind of doesn’t. And then I’m back there at kind of square one, trying to figure it out again. Today was pretty good overall. I just got to come back and do it again tomorrow.”

Tucker isn’t alone in this.

Across most publications, Tucker, Alex Bregman, Bo Bichette, Pete Alonso and Eugenio Suárez were viewed as the five top free agents who changed teams this offseason.

These are their numbers in 2026:
· Tucker: .239/.337/.388/.725, 105 OPS+
· Bregman:.253/.338/.358/.696, 101 OPS+
· Bichette: .245/.290/.372/.662, 86 OPS+
· Alonso: .253/.335/.473/.808, 126 OPS+
· Suárez: .222/.287/.395/.682, 85 OPS+

Tucker, to his credit, didn’t want to use pressure or acclimation as an excuse.

“I don’t take it like that,” he said. “I just go out and play, regardless, no matter where I’m at or what I’m doing. I just go out there and try and play well, try and have good at-bats, try and play good in the field and everything, and just try to help my team win.”

The Dodgers see the work that he’s putting in. Roberts said he can see Tucker gaining more comfort, and he cares.

Tucker has reached base six times in his last 13 plate appearances over three games. He has driven in five runs. He knows it means less if he doesn’t sustain it. But it’s more than reasonable to expect that he will.

“I feel like betting on him going forward — the way he’s at right now is good sign,” Roberts said.

Kyle Tucker looked like his usual self on Monday; now he looks to build was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

by Cary Osborne

No way.

Yes way.

Just like Nov. 1 in Game 7 of the World Series, the expectation with Miguel Rojas in the batter’s box on Monday was get on base. Not hit a home run.

But Rojas, inserted into the game as a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the seventh inning, swung at the first pitch he saw from veteran left-handed pitcher Steven Matz and drove it over the wall in left field at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium.

It was the 59th career home run for Rojas and his second career homer as a pinch hitter. The solo home run was the deciding run in the Dodgers’ 4–3 win against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays in the series opener on Monday.

The probability of the homer happening — like his Game 7 legendary homer — was minute.

The Dodgers entered the game as one of six teams without a pinch-hit home run this season. Rojas had one pinch-hit home run in 131 previous pinch-hit opportunities. He had one home run in 120 plate appearances this season coming into this game. He was 6-for-28 in his career against Matz.

The math didn’t add up, except …

Rojas is killing fastballs up and in the strike zone this season — 4-for-9 against left-handers, 5-for-12 overall coming into the at-bat. Matz threw him one up and in, and he barreled it.

“With Miggy versus a left-hander coming off the bench, I love the matchup,” said manager Dave Roberts. “And so you never expect a homer, but I just knew that I liked the matchup. And I thought he was going to put a good at-bat (together). But he’s really embraced this role, one of our team leaders, and it’s good to keep him active and part of things. It’s good for his spirits, and also helps us win baseball games.”

The veteran infielder in his 13th season, recognizing his role on the team, said he has recently sought out advice from others on how to succeed in pinch-hitting situations.

One thing that he came away with is to be more aggressive.

“I feel like in the past I was thinking, ‘Let’s put a good at-bat together. Don’t get out on the first pitch,’” Rojas said. “And then sometimes the first pitch was the best pitch to hit, so that’s what I’ve been doing. That doesn’t mean that it’s going to happen every single time like that, but today worked out.”

It just so happens the pitch was in a location where it pushed him more to be aggressive in the situation.

The Dodgers were close in large part to Kyle Tucker.

Tucker hit a three-run home run in the second inning off Rays starter Nick Martinez, who came into the game with the third-best ERA in the American League. Tucker also threw a runner out at home from right field in the top of the third inning.

Tucker, who is still searching to find his All-Star/Silver Slugger form in his first season with the Dodgers, has pinpointed the issue to timing and getting his bat path right.

He’s hoping Monday was a step forward.

“I would love to come back and do it again, just make it consistent every single day,” Tucker said. “If it works out for one at bat, it’s not like I immediately figure it out, and everything’s fine now. … I felt good and everything. I just got to try and do it again tomorrow.”

Yes way! Miguel Rojas delivers a game-changing homer was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

by Erin Edwards

Thousands of young people and families across Los Angeles united to celebrate community, opportunity and the power of sport on Saturday at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium.

The annual Dodgers Dreamteam PlayerFest — presented by Bank of America — is one of the most anticipated events of the summer, where families have the opportunity to experience the ballpark in a way few fans ever do. More than 3,000 Dodgers Dreamteam participants, coaches, family members, volunteers and partners were hosted by the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) on Saturday.

Throughout the day, participants explored Centerfield Plaza, walked the warning track, stepped into the dugouts and bullpens and posed with the 2025 World Series Trophy. They also connected with fellow Dodgers Dreamteam families from across Los Angeles County.

But beyond the excitement of being at the ballpark, PlayerFest delivered something even more meaningful: access.

Families received free resources, health services, educational opportunities and connections to community organizations that help young people thrive both on and off the field.

Participants picked up basic essential kits from Baby2Baby, received fresh produce from the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, explored educational opportunities with the Los Angeles Library Foundation and C5LA, participated in Science of Baseball STEM activities, and engaged in fitness and wellness programming led by UCLA Health Sports Performance powered by Exos.

Young athletes also sharpened their baseball and softball skills through instruction from the Los Angeles Dodgers Training Academy while families received transportation resources from Los Angeles Metro, vision screenings from Vision to Learn, as well as dental and health screenings from UCLA Health.

Throughout the ballpark, community partners created interactive experiences that kept participants moving and learning. The Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Sparks and Los Angeles Kings joined the celebration, bringing additional activities and giveaways that highlighted the power of sports across Los Angeles.

PlayerFest also showcased the collective effort behind the Dodgers Dreamteam, which now serves 17,000 youth across 156 locations throughout Los Angeles County. The program continues to expand equitable access to sports and positive youth development opportunities for young people who need them most.

The event would not have been possible without the support of presenting sponsor Bank of America, the program’s first corporate sponsor and current Community Ambassador Sponsor. More than 250 Bank of America employee volunteers joined hundreds of additional volunteers and partners to help create a memorable experience for every family in attendance.

As participants left the stadium carrying giveaways, resources and memories from a day unlike any other, the impact of PlayerFest extended far beyond the stadium’s walls.

As summer begins across Los Angeles, PlayerFest served as a powerful reminder that when community partners, volunteers, families and youth come together, the result is far more than a day at the ballpark. It’s an investment in the future of Los Angeles. To learn more about Dodgers Dreamteam, visit Dodgers.com/DodgersDreamteam.

Dodgers Dreamteam PlayerFest Brings Thousands Together was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

by Cary Osborne

It’s now been more than six years since the Dodgers’ last no-hitter (May 4, 2018). And on Saturday we were oh-so close to seeing Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitch the 24th no-no in Dodger history.

But it feels closer.

Since 1899 — which is as far back as Baseball Reference goes with the stat — there have been 101 one-hitters pitched by the Dodgers. There have been three already this season. That’s tied for the most in Dodger history (There were also three in 2017, 2015, 2002, 1982 and 1965).

The one-hitters this year:

· Saturday vs. the Chicago White Sox: Yamamoto took a no-hitter into the ninth inning but allowed a solo home run to Tristan Peters

· May 27 vs. Colorado: Shohei Ohtani threw six no-hit innings; a combined no-hitter was broken up by a Tyler Freeman single with two outs in the eighth inning

· April 23 vs. San Francisco: Tyler Glasnow allowed a single to Luis Arraez in the fourth inning

Here’s why it feels closer:

This is trending toward being the hardest-to-hit Dodger starting rotation ever.

Opponents are hitting a Major League-low .205 against Dodger starting pitching this season.

It’s currently the second-lowest starters’ opponents’ batting average in the Live Ball Era. The lowest belongs to the Cleveland staff (.199) in 1968–1968 being the “Year of the Pitcher.” Pitching was so dominant that season that the mound was lowered five inches the next season.

The Dodger record is .209 from 2021. It’s currently the National League record for lowest starters’ opponents’ batting average.

Yamamoto and Ohtani appear to be the best candidates to get the no-hitter. Opponents are hitting .154 against Ohtani and .188 against Yamamoto. Before he got hurt, opponents mustered just a .149 average against Glasnow.

What a First-Half for Muncy

There are plenty of Dodgers who, as of now, are deserving of All-Star selections, including some obvious ones on the pitching and position player (and pitcher/position player) sides. But Max Muncy, who will turn 36 on Aug. 25, is making a convincing argument that he is the undisputed best third baseman in the National League in 2026.

Muncy’s ranks among NL third basemen:

· Home runs — 1st (16)
· Runs — 1st (46)
· Walks — Tied for 1st (32)
· OBP — 1st (.371)
· Slugging — 1st (.532)
· OPS — 1st (.903)
· OPS+ — 1st (162)
· Total bases — 1st (115)

Add to that, Muncy ranks tied-for-first in outs above average (five) and tied-for-third in the NL in defensive runs saved (five).

Muncy was an All-Star in 2019 and 2021. He is currently the leading vote-getter for NL third basemen.

Phase 1 of the voting ends June 25. The top two vote-getters at each position (and the top six outfielders) in each league will be revealed on MLB Network at 3:00 p.m. (PT), and they will advance to the second phase of voting to determine who makes the All-Star teams and starts for each league.

The leading vote-getter in each league during the first phase of voting will receive an automatic starting assignment at the All-Star Game and bypass the second phase of voting. Shohei Ohtani is currently the leading vote-getter.

Andy Pages, having his own banner season, is leading all NL outfielders in All-Star voting.

Dodgers can be voted here: Dodgers.com/vote

Statistically Speaking

Eric Lauer, who starts for the Dodgers tonight in the series opener against the Rays, has allowed five total runs in his three starts for the Dodgers. Four runs have been on solo home runs.

Outside of those home runs, Lauer has been steady. He has allowed only two walks in 16 1/3 innings, opponents have .174 average on balls in play and opponents have a .226 on-base percentage against him.

Dodgers Noteworthy: A stingy group of starters and Muncy in a starring role was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

by Cary Osborne

The question remains: When?

Yoshinobu Yamamoto took a no-hitter into the bottom of the ninth inning against the White Sox in Chicago on Saturday, but lost it on a solo home run by center fielder Tristan Peters.

It’s the second near-no-hitter for Yamamoto in the Major Leagues. He was an out away on Sept. 6, 2025, in Baltimore, only to lose it on a Jackson Holliday home run in an eventual heart-breaking Dodger loss.

This time, the Dodgers won — a 7–1 victory.

Yamamoto completed two no-hitters in the Nippon Professional Baseball league (in 2022 and 2023). He took a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 20, 2025. He retired 20 batters in a row in Game 2 of the 2025 World Series in Toronto. He retired the final 22 batters he faced on June 6 against the Angels.

It’s been increasingly evident that Yamamoto is on no-hit watch every time he takes the mound. And he was close to locking down the 24th no-hitter in Dodger history.

“I know how difficult baseball is,” Yamamoto said. “I’ll keep working hard, and one day I’d like to get a no-hitter.”

He continues to assert himself as one of the game’s dominant starting pitchers.

Yamamoto has the second-lowest WHIP in the Majors (0.84) to Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski (0.74) — who on Friday struck out 15 batters in a one-hitter against Philadelphia. Yamamoto also has the second-lowest opponents’ batting average in the Majors to Misiorowski (.188 to Misiorowski’s .140).

Yamamoto has a 1.01 ERA over his last five starts and a 2.52 ERA this season.

The right-hander took a perfect game into the eighth inning on Saturday in Chicago. With two outs, a Chase Meidroth grounder took a hop on shortstop Mookie Betts. The error ended the bid for the second perfect game in Dodger history. It also ended a streak of 45 consecutive batters retired.

It’s one out shy of the Major League record (Live Ball Era) of 46 consecutive batters retired by San Francisco’s Yusmeiro Petit in 2014.

Yamamoto passed Don Sutton’s Dodger franchise record of 33 batters retired in a row in the fourth inning on Saturday. His 45 is tied with Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Mark Buehrle, who completed a perfect game on July 23, 2009 as part of his run.

“He’s surgical with all his pitches, gives different looks, messes with timings,” said Dodger pitching coach Mark Prior of Yamamoto’s day and success. “He can attack the outside part of the plate and go to the inside part of the plate with just different things. From a hitter’s perspective, it’s going to be really hard to zero in on a specific pitch or a specific location. He missed his spots a few times today, but for the most part, he was living right on the edge of the zone the entire time, and so got his weak contact.”

Yamamoto was backed up in this one with three home runs from the Dodger offense — a leadoff home run from Shohei Ohtani (in his return after missing a game with left knee inflammation) and two homers from Max Muncy.

Muncy leads the Dodgers with 16 homers. Ohtani is right behind at 14.

Ohtani said after the game that he wasn’t 100%, but he is confident he will make his next turn in the starting rotation. He is slated to pitch on Wednesday.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto keeps getting closer to no-hitter history was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.