Dodgers Swept Again by Angels as Padres Snatch NL West Lead, Ohtani Vows to Lead Los Angeles Back to Division Supremacy

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ rollercoaster 2025 season hit another unsettling low point as they were swept for the second time this year by the Los Angeles Angels, losing Sunday’s finale in front of a stunned Dodger Stadium crowd. The defeat not only deepened the Dodgers’ recent slump but also cost them the top spot in the NL West, as the surging San Diego Padres overtook them with a statement series win over the San Francisco Giants.

For a franchise accustomed to dominating its division and dictating the pace of the pennant race, the reality of trailing a fierce rival in August has turned into an uncomfortable one. What’s worse for Dodgers fans is that the latest setback came against their crosstown counterpart — a team that has long played in the Dodgers’ shadow but has now found a way to make this rivalry sting even more.

Sunday’s game seemed like the perfect opportunity to halt the slide. The Dodgers sent one of their most reliable arms to the mound, looking for a shutdown performance. For a few innings, it seemed possible. The starting pitching kept the Angels at bay early, but the bats remained uncharacteristically silent. Timely hits that once seemed inevitable have become elusive, and the Angels capitalized with opportunistic offense in the middle innings.

The Angels’ lineup, led by a red-hot group of hitters who showed no fear of the moment, delivered another blow in the seventh inning that effectively sealed the Dodgers’ fate. By the time the final out was recorded, the frustration in the stadium was palpable. Fans, who arrived hopeful for a turnaround, left knowing their team’s division lead had slipped away.

For the Dodgers, the sweep is a gut punch. It’s not just that the Angels played well — it’s that Los Angeles has suddenly looked out of sync on both sides of the ball. The rotation has shown flashes of inconsistency, the bullpen has been overworked, and the offense has failed to deliver in high-leverage situations. That combination has created a vulnerability the Padres have been quick to exploit.

The Padres, for their part, have been on a tear. Their recent series win against the Giants was as much about sending a message to the Dodgers as it was about racking up wins. San Diego has gotten healthy at the right time, their starting pitching has stabilized, and their lineup is producing up and down the order. For a club that has been chasing Los Angeles for years, flipping the script at this stage of the season feels significant.

Still, despite the frustration and the standings shift, there was one voice in the Dodgers’ clubhouse that spoke with calm conviction — Shohei Ohtani. The two-way superstar, who has been a bright spot amid the struggles, addressed reporters after the game and made his feelings clear.

“I know it’s been a rough stretch for us, and I take that personally,” Ohtani said. “This is a winning ballclub. We know how to fight, and I promise you we’re going to right the ship. We have too much talent, too much pride, and too much heart to let this slip away.”

Ohtani’s words carry more than just the weight of a team leader; they carry the credibility of a player who has consistently performed, regardless of circumstances. His bat has been electric, his presence on the mound commanding, and his work ethic unquestionable. If anyone on the roster can spark a turnaround, it’s him.

That said, Ohtani can’t do it alone. The Dodgers’ offensive core needs to rediscover its timing. The middle of the order, once among the most feared in baseball, has gone cold at the worst possible time. Injuries have played a part, but the Dodgers have prided themselves on depth, and now is the moment for that depth to show its worth.

Manager Dave Roberts, speaking after the sweep, didn’t sugarcoat the situation. “We’re in a tough spot,” Roberts admitted. “You don’t want to be chasing this late in the year, but that’s where we are. The Angels outplayed us, and the Padres have earned their position. But there’s a lot of baseball left, and we have to respond.”

The Dodgers’ upcoming schedule offers little relief. They now face the Padres at home in what could be a pivotal series not only for the standings but also for the clubhouse morale. Win the series, and they can reclaim the division lead and momentum. Lose it, and the gap could widen into dangerous territory.

The rivalry between the Dodgers and Padres has evolved into one of the most compelling in baseball, with both teams possessing star power, swagger, and the belief they’re built for October. The Padres, led by their own MVP-caliber talents, have been waiting for the moment to dethrone the Dodgers. This week, they get a chance to solidify that claim.

For the Angels, sweeping the Dodgers for a second time this season represents more than bragging rights. It’s proof that their rebuild is taking shape and that they can compete with — and beat — the league’s best. While their playoff hopes remain uncertain, their performance in these rivalry games has been a major point of pride.

From the Dodgers’ perspective, the narrative is far from over. Baseball seasons are long, full of twists, and often decided by late surges. The Dodgers have the roster to make such a run, but they need sharper execution and a renewed sense of urgency. That starts with getting the fundamentals right — limiting defensive miscues, finding ways to manufacture runs, and getting the bullpen fresh enough to handle close games.

Ohtani’s vow to “right the ship” will be put to the test immediately. The matchup with San Diego is high stakes in every sense. The Dodgers’ stars must lead the way, but contributions from role players will be equally crucial. Winning teams in late summer are defined not just by marquee performances, but by the depth of their roster stepping up in key moments.

Dodger Stadium will be electric when the Padres arrive, and fans will expect a response. The boos that echoed after Sunday’s loss could quickly turn to roars if Los Angeles can flip the script. The team’s ability to handle this adversity — and to do so against a rival — could shape not just their regular season, but their postseason path.

In the end, the Dodgers’ current position is precarious but not terminal. Great teams are measured by how they respond to challenges, and Los Angeles has no shortage of leaders capable of rallying the clubhouse. Ohtani’s confidence is a reflection of that belief, a reminder that even after a sweep at the hands of the Angels and the loss of first place, the season’s story is still being written.

For now, the Dodgers are in pursuit — of the Padres, of their own standard of excellence, and of the momentum they’ll need to make a deep October run. If Ohtani’s vow holds true, the last chapter of this season could still belong to Los Angeles. But that turnaround has to start now. The Angels have made their statement. The Padres have seized their moment. The Dodgers’ response is all that remains.