On July 19, the Dodgers traded Gavin Lux then lost 9-1 to the Brewers. Despite Shohei Ohtani, the offense stalled in a day of departures and defeat.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a day of stark contrasts at Chavez Ravine. While the front office made a significant move to bolster the future, the team on the field was dealt a harsh dose of reality. The Dodgers traded former top prospect Gavin Lux to the Cincinnati Reds in a forward-thinking deal, only to then suffer a brutal 9-1 beatdown at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers, snapping their modest two-game winning streak.
The final score said it all: Brewers 9, Dodgers 1.
In the biggest news of the day, the Dodgers sent infielder Gavin Lux to the Cincinnati Reds. In return, Los Angeles acquired promising minor league outfielder Mike Sirota and the Reds' competitive balance pick A in this year's draft. For Lux, it marks the end of a long and often frustrating tenure in L.A. where he struggled to secure a permanent defensive home. The trade signals the front office's commitment to maximizing value, turning a player without a clear role into a high-upside outfield prospect and a coveted high-level draft pick, adding yet another wave of talent to the farm system.
On the field, things couldn't have gone much worse. The Dodgers' potent offense was silenced, managing just a single run against Milwaukee's pitching. Superstars like Shohei Ohtani and the ever-consistent Will Smith were held in check, unable to spark any momentum. The pitching staff, meanwhile, was shelled for nine runs, turning the game into a blowout early. The loss drops the Dodgers to 58-39, and while they still hold a comfortable lead in the NL West, it was a humbling reminder of how quickly things can turn in baseball.
The struggles on the mound today underscored the team's ongoing bullpen challenges. A look at the injury report provides context: closer Evan Phillips is officially done for the season after his June Tommy John surgery. However, there's a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Brusdar Graterol, recovering from his own shoulder surgery, has resumed throwing. The team is targeting a potential rehab assignment in August, which could see 'The Bazooka' back in the bullpen for the September playoff push. The road remains long for Kyle Hurt and River Ryan, who are also recovering from Tommy John and aren't expected back until late 2025 at the earliest.
Today was a gut punch, no doubt. A humbling loss on the field combined with a bittersweet farewell to a homegrown player. But this is the Andrew Friedman era, where every move is calculated for October and beyond. While the 9-1 score stings, the real story is the front office's relentless pursuit of future championships. The Dodgers will look to salvage the series finale tomorrow, hoping to prove that today's lopsided result was an anomaly and not the start of a trend.
