Dodgers lose 7-5 to the Brewers on July 20, 2025, for their third straight loss. As Ohtani and Freeman battle, Mookie Betts' benching raises questions.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was another frustrating night at Chavez Ravine. Despite a late-game surge powered by Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman, the Dodgers fell 7-5 to the red-hot Milwaukee Brewers, marking their third consecutive loss. But Sunday's defeat felt like more than just one game; it was a symptom of a larger unease, a feeling amplified by the conspicuous absence of Mookie Betts from the starting lineup.
He just needs to reset. We have all the confidence in the world in him.
The box score tells a familiar story of 'almost.' The Dodgers battled, with Shohei Ohtani driving in a key run with a sixth-inning single and Freddie Freeman adding multiple hits. The team even mounted a ninth-inning rally that brought the tying run to the plate. But it wasn't enough to overcome the Brewers, who extended their own winning streak to nine games. The loss drops the Dodgers to 58-41, and while they still sit atop the NL West, the cushion feels a little less comfortable after this series.
Perhaps the biggest story of the day wasn't on the field, but in the dugout. Mookie Betts was benched for Sunday's finale, a clear 'mental health day' as he navigates a tough slump at the plate. Manager Dave Roberts expressed his belief that Betts would bounce back, stating the move was about giving him a chance to 'reset.' For a team whose offense has looked inconsistent, getting their superstar leadoff man back to his MVP form is priority number one.
The front office is clearly not sitting on its hands. News broke Sunday that the team is actively pursuing bullpen depth and a right-handed bat on the trade market, acknowledging the team's most glaring needs. In the meantime, internal reinforcements are on the way. Veteran reliever Blake Treinen was officially sent on a rehab assignment to Triple-A Oklahoma City, a massive step toward his return. The club also made a 40-man roster move, outrighting Nick Nastrini, signaling that more changes could be on the horizon as they look to fortify the roster for another October push.
While a three-game skid and a slumping superstar are cause for concern, it's far from panic time in Los Angeles. The team still leads the division, help appears to be on the way via Treinen's return and potential trades, and the core of this roster knows how to win. The next week will be telling, not just for the games on the schedule, but for the moves the front office makes ahead of the trade deadline. The Dodgers are being tested, and how they respond will define their season.
