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Dodgers Rally, Clinch Series Lead as Ohtani Sidelined

7/5/2026

33 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Dodgers Clinch

July 4 2026, the Dodgers beat the Padres 3-0 as Yamamoto threw seven shutout innings.
Shohei Ohtani left Friday with biceps soreness, missed Saturday; Dave Roberts moved Edman to center, Andy Pages to DH, Freddie Freeman to second, promoted Alfonzo Jr., optioned Robinson.
Andy Pages RBI in the third, Freddie Freeman HR in the sixth, and Dodgers rallied from six-run and three-run deficits to win 12-7 and 4-3, clinching a series lead.

Summary

Roberts Delays Ohtani

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts moved Shohei Ohtani (two-way player)’s start from Wednesday to Friday to give him rest.
The six-man rotation caps Shohei Ohtani (two-way player) at under 160 innings.
Analysts say the reduced innings make a Cy Young run unlikely for the 31-year-old.
Dave Roberts said skipping Shohei Ohtani (two-way player)’s final start before the All-Star break is possible while the Dodgers plan to keep him healthy for the postseason.

History

Historical Context

The Atlanta Braves’ 1995 shift to a five-man rotation helped them post a 90-54 record and win the World Series, a model later emulated by teams seeking postseason depth. Today, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts limits Shohei Ohtani’s starts and caps his innings under 160, echoing the Braves’ strategy of preserving elite arms for the playoffs.

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Dodgers Clinch

July 4 2026, the Dodgers beat the Padres 3-0 as Yamamoto threw seven shutout innings.
Shohei Ohtani left Friday with biceps soreness, missed Saturday; Dave Roberts moved Edman to center, Andy Pages to DH, Freddie Freeman to second, promoted Alfonzo Jr., optioned Robinson.
Andy Pages RBI in the third, Freddie Freeman HR in the sixth, and Dodgers rallied from six-run and three-run deficits to win 12-7 and 4-3, clinching a series lead.

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