The Los Angeles Dodgers absorbed a 7-1 loss to the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday, a result that held little consequence for the team due to their commanding lead in the National League West and focus on larger season objectives. The Dodgers currently hold a 12.5-game lead and a 99.9% chance of securing the division title, according to Fangraphs.
Manager Dave Roberts opted for a bullpen game, a strategy that saw triple-A call-up Charlie Barnes pitch seven innings and allow seven runs. Barnes, a 30-year-old left-hander with limited MLB experience, was used as the primary pitcher in an effort to manage the workload of star pitcher Shohei Ohtani, whose start was pushed back to allow for additional rest. Roberts acknowledged a lack of familiarity with Barnes but indicated the decision aligned with the team's ability to prioritize player rest.
The Dodgers also played without Mookie Betts, who was scratched from the lineup before the game due to wrist soreness. Roberts described the decision to hold Betts out as "erring on the side of caution," fitting with the team's broader strategy of managing player availability.
Despite the loss snapping a four-game winning streak, the Dodgers maintained their strong position in the league standings. They lead the National League with a 56-31 record, holding a 1.5-game advantage over the Milwaukee Brewers for the best record in baseball. This win keeps them 4.5 games ahead of the Atlanta Braves in the race for a top-two seed and a first-round bye.
Freddie Freeman provided the Dodgers' lone run with a solo home run in the third inning, his 14th of the season, raising his batting average to .294. Freeman was later substituted out of the game in the sixth inning with the score out of reach, further demonstrating the team's focus on preserving energy for the postseason.
Following the series finale against the Athletics, the Dodgers will return to Los Angeles for a 10-game homestand leading up to the All-Star break. The homestand begins with a four-game series against the San Diego Padres, with Roki Sasaki scheduled to start the opener for the Dodgers against Randy Vásquez of the Padres.