The Dodgers beat the Reds 5-2 on July 30, 2025, to sweep the series. With Ohtani pitching and Smith hitting, LA extends its NL West lead amid key injuries.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Another day, another win. The Los Angeles Dodgers are making it look easy, completing a three-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds with a decisive 5-2 victory on Wednesday. With the win, the Dodgers climb to 63-45, extending their current win streak to three games and, more importantly, tightening their grip on the NL West. While the team on the field is clicking, the front office was busy managing a roster that continues to be tested by injuries.
The Dodgers now hold a four-game lead over the Padres, while division rivals San Francisco and Arizona have both lost five straight.
The Dodgers capped off a perfect series in Cincinnati, securing a 5-2 win to send the Reds packing. With Shohei Ohtani on the mound and the ever-reliable Will Smith continuing his torrid season at the plate, the team looked confident and in control. This victory comes on the heels of Tuesday's thrilling 5-4 walk-off win, secured by a Smith RBI double, proving this team can win in multiple ways. They're building the kind of momentum that's essential for the stretch run.
It wasn't all good news, as the injury bug bit again. Second baseman Hyeseong Kim was placed on the 10-day injured list, a tough blow to the infield defense. However, in a classic 'one door closes, another opens' scenario, the Dodgers got a massive boost with the news that Max Muncy has officially been sent to Triple-A Oklahoma City to begin his rehab assignment. His return is no longer a question of 'if' but 'when,' a welcome development as Kiké Hernández remains sidelined with no clear timeline for his return from elbow inflammation.
The Dodgers' pitching depth continues to be tested. The team placed left-handed reliever Tanner Scott on the 15-day IL with left elbow inflammation, another significant arm lost for the time being. To fill the gap, hard-throwing righty Alexis Díaz was recalled from Triple-A. These moves are a stark reminder of the long-term injuries the pitching staff is enduring, with Evan Phillips, Kyle Hurt, and River Ryan all out until late 2025 at the earliest following Tommy John surgery. The bullpen's resilience is being pushed to its limit.
Winning is the best medicine, and the Dodgers are taking their daily dose. Their three-game win streak has pushed their record to a strong 63-45. At the same time, their division rivals are sputtering. The Padres remain four games back, but both the San Francisco Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks are in free-fall, each having lost five consecutive games. The Dodgers aren't just winning; they're creating critical separation in the standings, turning the NL West race into their own to lose.
The Dodgers are finding ways to win, even when they're not at full strength. Completing a sweep while key players are on the mend is the mark of a championship-caliber team. All eyes will now be on Oklahoma City to track Max Muncy's progress. His bat returning to the heart of the order could be the final piece this team needs to not just win the West, but make a deep run in October. For now, they'll enjoy the three-game streak and the breathing room atop the division.
