The Dodgers fell 9-1 to the Brewers on July 18, 2025, as Shohei Ohtani's bat went silent. Read how the loss and the recent Gavin Lux trade impact the future.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was one of those nights at Chavez Ravine. The kind where the bats go quiet, the opposing team can't miss, and the final score feels more like a typo. The Los Angeles Dodgers fell hard to the Milwaukee Brewers, 9-1, in a series opener that served as a stark reminder of baseball's unpredictability. But as the dust settled on the lopsided loss, the bigger story continues to be a front office in motion, shaping the future even as the present team navigates the mid-summer grind.
A 9-1 loss at home is a tough pill to swallow, especially when your biggest bats are held completely in check.
The box score tells a brutal story. Starter Tyler Glasnow took the mound, but the Dodgers' high-powered offense never found its footing against Brewers veteran José Quintana. Stars like Shohei Ohtani and Will Smith, the cornerstones of the lineup, were unable to ignite a rally, leaving the team with a single run to show for their efforts. The loss drops the Dodgers to 58-39, and while they still hold a comfortable lead in the NL West, it was a deflating start to a crucial homestand against a tough Milwaukee club.
The on-field struggles were underscored by a significant off-field move made just days prior. The Dodgers officially parted ways with infielder Gavin Lux, trading him to the Cincinnati Reds. In return, LA secured promising minor league outfielder Mike Sirota and a valuable competitive balance draft pick. For Lux, a former top prospect, it's a chance for a fresh start after a challenging tenure in Los Angeles where a consistent role proved elusive. For the Dodgers, it’s a classic move: leveraging a known asset to acquire future potential and roster flexibility.
Blowouts like Friday's loss inevitably shine a spotlight on the pitching staff, particularly the bullpen. The team is still feeling the effects of major injuries. Closer Evan Phillips is officially done for the year after his June Tommy John surgery, a massive blow to the back end of the 'pen. While there's some positive news with Kyle Hurt resuming bullpen sessions after his own Tommy John procedure, he isn't expected back until the very end of the season, if at all. These absences put immense pressure on the remaining arms and highlight the thin margins the team is working with on the mound.
Despite the sting of a 9-1 defeat and the emotional farewell to a homegrown talent like Lux, it's important to remember the Dodgers are still in the driver's seat of the NL West. The key now is resilience. Can the offense bounce back tomorrow and prove this was just an anomaly? How will the team continue to patch together a bullpen without its closer? Friday was a night of tough questions, but the answers will be found in how this first-place club responds over the rest of this weekend series and beyond.
