LOS ANGELES — The victory improved the Dodgers record to 71-48. The team leads the Arizona Diamondbacks by 7 1/2 games in the NL West and is tied with the Atlanta Braves for the second-best record in the National League. The Dodgers are three games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for the best record in the National League. The Dodgers trailed the Braves by one game for a top-two National League playoff seed entering Monday.

Max Muncy, Tommy Edman, and Mookie Betts are hitting under.200 against fastballs since the start of July. Andy Pages and Freddie Freeman are slugging under.400 against fastballs since the start of July. Opposing pitching staffs have thrown fastballs 58.7 percent of the time against the Dodgers since July 1.

The Dodgers have produced a.693 OPS against fastballs since July 1. Dave Roberts stated that it is bothersome that teams attack the Dodgers with fastballs more than any other team.

Royals pitchers threw the Dodgers 23 four-seam fastballs on Monday. Max Muncy hit a three-run double off a fastball in the sixth inning against the Royals. Shohei Ohtani singled off a fastball in the seventh inning against the Royals.

Shohei Ohtani stole his first base since May 16 in the seventh inning against the Royals. Freddie Freeman singled to drive in Ohtani in the seventh inning against the Royals. Edwin Díaz recorded the save in the ninth inning against the Royals.

Dave Roberts stated he saw urgency from the team in the win against the Royals. He added that the Dodgers' effort could be enhanced and improved and that they need to play with more urgency. Opposing starting pitchers have averaged 2.69 walks per nine innings against the Dodgers since the start of July.

Los Angeles Dodgers relievers have a 4.95 ERA since the start of the team's current slide. Emmet Sheehan was optioned to the minors by the Dodgers last week.

Blake Snell will start for the Dodgers against the Royals on Tuesday night. Dave he stated that Snell is on a mission and focused. Snell underwent a procedure to remove loose bodies from his elbow using the NanoNeedle 2.0 device, performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache.

Blake Snell stated he feels the best he has in three years. He pitched four games for Triple-A Oklahoma City during his rehabilitation assignment and gave up three runs in 3 2/3 innings in his last start for Triple-A Oklahoma City. Dave he stated the Dodgers plan to stick with a six-man rotation.

Skubal is 29 years old and is on an expiring contract. He won the American League Cy Young Award in each of the past two seasons. In the 2024 season, Skubal posted a 18-4 record with a 2.39 ERA and 228 strikeouts across 31 starts, leading the American League in wins, ERA, and strikeouts to win his second consecutive AL Cy Young Award.

Skubal's $32 million arbitration ruling in February 2026 set a record for a pitcher, surpassing the previous high of $19 million offered by the Tigers, with an independent arbitrator siding with Skubal and his agent Scott Boras. The Dodgers' trade for Skubal included three prospects: outfielder Zyhir Hope (MLB No. 25), right-hander River Ryan (MLB No. 68), and right-hander Brady Smith (L.A.'s No. 17 prospect before the trade). In his second start for the Dodgers, Skubal pitched five innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits with two walks and six strikeouts. Skubal's next scheduled start after the game against the Royals is on Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Dodgers batting order featured Shohei Ohtani as the designated hitter leading off, Freddie Freeman at first base batting second, Andy Pages in center field batting third, Kyle Tucker in right field batting fourth, Max Muncy at third base batting fifth, Mookie Betts at shortstop batting sixth, Tommy Edman at second base batting seventh, Alex Call in left field batting eighth, and Ben Rortvedt catching and batting ninth. Michael Wacha is the starting pitcher for the Royals against the Dodgers on Tuesday. Wacha has a 3.44 ERA with 112 strikeouts in 144 innings pitched this season. First pitch for the Dodgers-Royals game on Tuesday is at 7:10 p.m. PT.

What's New

Tarik Skubal posted a GameScore of 51 in his home debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Blake Snell will start for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night. The Los Angeles Dodgers fell behind 3-0 to the Kansas City Royals early in the game on Monday. Tarik Skubal allowed three runs in his home debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have lost 15 of their last 24 games. The Los Angeles Dodgers lineup has ranked in the bottom 10 in the majors in runs and OPS since the start of July. The Los Angeles Dodgers have a.293 wOBA against fastballs since the start of July, the worst mark in MLB.

How Sources Differ

Sources present different views on the Los Angeles Dodgers recent performance versus standings. One source notes the Los Angeles Dodgers have lost 15 of their last 24 games, while another shows that the Los Angeles Dodgers lead the Arizona Diamondbacks by 7 1/2 games in the NL West.

There is a detail gap regarding Blake Snell upcoming start versus recent rehabilitation performance. Reports confirm Blake Snell will start for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night, while also noting that Blake Snell gave up three runs in 3 2/3 innings in his last start for Triple-A Oklahoma City.

There is a detail gap on the frequency of fastballs thrown against Los Angeles Dodgers. One source states opposing pitching staffs have thrown fastballs 58.7 percent of the time against the Los Angeles Dodgers since July 1, while others note that opposing pitchers have thrown the Los Angeles Dodgers more four-seamers and sinkers than any other club since the beginning of July.

Perspectives differ on Tarik Skubal contract situation and agent influence. Nick Swisher stated in an interview that Tarik Skubal will not sign a long-term extension with the Dodgers because his agent Scott Boras takes clients to the free agent market. Trade details note Skubal's $32 million arbitration ruling in February 2026 set a record for a pitcher, surpassing the previous high of $19 million offered by the Tigers, with an independent arbitrator siding with Skubal and his agent Scott Boras.

Why It Matters

The acquisition of Tarik Skubal represents a move for the Los Angeles Dodgers as they navigate a competitive National League landscape. Skubal, who led the American League in wins, ERA, and strikeouts in 2024, brings recent Cy Young success to a team that is currently tied with the Atlanta Braves for the second-best record in the National League. However, his expiring contract and the involvement of agent Scott Boras raise questions about his long-term tenure with the franchise.

The Dodgers' recent struggles against fastballs, evidenced by a.293 wOBA against such pitches since July, highlight a tactical vulnerability that opposing teams have exploited. With the team having lost 15 of its last 24 games, addressing this offensive shortfall is critical as they trail the Milwaukee Brewers by three games for the best record in the National League. The upcoming start by Blake Snell, who reports feeling his best in three years following elbow surgery, offers a potential stabilizing force for the rotation as the team seeks to maintain its playoff positioning.