The sky was falling on the Los Angeles Dodgers, and now the sky is the limit. At least that’s how it feels.
The Dodgers lost 10 of 13 games between July 26 and Aug. 9. Now they’ve won 10 of 13 games and have the second best record in baseball, one game behind the Milwaukee Brewers with five weeks until the playoffs start.
There’s no question the quality of opponents was superior during the Dodgers’ losing skid. But there’s no denying there’s reason for optimism on the field. (Owner Mark Walter and the investigation into potential business fraud, well, that’s another story.)
As the Dodgers head into a three-game road series against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday Aug. 25, here’s the best news: Pitcher Tyler Glasnow is scheduled to make his first start in 3 ½ months after being sidelined with back spasms.
“I’m excited to see Tyler back and I know he’s been missing competing,” Roberts told reporters.
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Athletics Lawrence Butler is tagged out by Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas as he tires to extend his double into a triple during the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 18, 2026.
(Scott Marshall, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Athletics Lawrence Butler is tagged out by Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas as he tires to extend his double into a triple during the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 18, 2026.
(Scott Marshall, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Cleveland Guardians mascot Slider interacts with fans during game against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field on April 17, 2026.
(David Richard, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Washington Nationals right fielder Daylen Lile attempts to catch a ball hit for a single by the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Jake Mangum during the first inning at PNC Park on April 16, 2026. The Nationals won the game, 8-7.
(Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Milwaukee Brewers catcher Gary Sanchez wears a special chest protector to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at American Family Field on April 15, 2026.
(Benny Sieu, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
April 13: The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Spencer Horwitz celebrates a home run in the dugout while wearing a welder’s hood during the 16-5 win over the Washington Nationals at PNC Park.
(Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
April 12: Philadelphia Phillies mascot, The Phanatic, entertains fans with local team mascots for a birthday celebration before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park.
(Kyle Ross, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
April 11: The Tampa Bay Rays’ Jonathan Aranda (left) celebrates with Ryan Vilade after hitting a walk-off single against the New York Yankees in the 10th inning of a 5-4 win at Tropicana Field.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Cleveland Guardians’ Jose Ramirez acknowledges the fans after becoming the team’s all-time leader in games played against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field on April 6, 2026.
(David Dermer, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
A rainbow appears during the fourth inning during the game between the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 6, 2026.
(Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
A fan dresses as the Pope claps during the first inning of the game between the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays at Rate Field on April 5, 2026. The White Sox won the game, 3-0, to complete a three-game sweep of the Blue Jays.
(Matt Marton, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Konnor Griffin celebrates with a traffic cone after making his major-league debut in a 5-4 defeat of the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park on April 3, 2026.
(Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
A young Red Sox fan meets Tessie the Boston Red Sox mascot before the Red Sox’s home opener against the San Diego Padres at Fenway Park on April 3, 2026.
(Eric Canha, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez (6) and center fielder Jakob Marsee celebrate a victory against the Chicago White Sox at loanDepot Park on April 1, 2026.
(Jim Rassol, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Fans try to catch a solo home run hit by the San Francisco Giants’ Matt Chapman as San Diego Padres left fielder Nick Castellanos looks on during the third inning at Petco Park on March 31, 2026.
(Denis Poroy, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Philadelphia Phillies mascot The Phillie Phanatic entertains fans during the game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on March 31, 2026.
(Kyle Ross, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Toronto Blue Jays’ Kazuma Okamoto gets doused with ice water by teammates after a win over the Athletics at Rogers Centre on March 29, 2026.
(John E. Sokolowski, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Cincinnati Reds’ Eugenio Suárez blows a bubble as he waits to bat against the Boston Red Sox at Great American Ball Park on March 28, 2026.
(Aaron Doster, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The St. Louis Cardinals’ JJ Wetherholt is doused with water by teammates after hitting a walk-off two-run single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the 10th inning at Busch Stadium on March 28, 2026.
(Jeff Curry, Imagn Images)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Fans react as the Milwaukee Brewers’ Jake Bauers homers against the Chicago White Sox at American Family Field on March 26, 2026.
(Jovanny Hernandez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Two F-35C planes from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron NINE Detachment Edwards Air Force Base perform a flyover before the Opening Day game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on March 26, 2026.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
This comes two weeks after pitcher Blake Snell returned in spectacular fashion and, according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports, the Dodgers expect Shohei Ohtani to resume pitching next month barring any setbacks.
Glasnow, the mop-haired righthander, was 3-0 with a 2.72 ERA in seven starts this season before he ended up on the injured list. He was sharp in two rehab starts with the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma City. And the hope is Glasnow can recapture his form from the 2025 postseason, when he threw 21 1/3 innings with a 1.69 ERA.
He figures to be tested by the Braves, who have a 76-55 (.580) record and lead the NL East.
Said Roberts: “It’s going to be a fun series here … and it’ll be good to get Tyler back in the mix.”
Scintillating on the mound
Tyler Glasnow hasn’t pitched since May 6.
Glasnow will rejoin the starting rotation rounding into top form.
“Starting pitching has been fantastic,” Roberts told reporters after Blake Snell threw six shutout innings in the Dodgers’ 4-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday Aug. 23.
Snell, in three starts since returning from elbow surgery, is 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 18 innings.
Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto is 3-0 with a 1.98 ERA over the past six starts with 39 strikeouts in 41 innings.
Tarik Skubal, the prized pickup at the trade deadline, is coming off his finest performance in four starts with the Dodgers. In a 4-3 victory over the Pirates on Saturday Aug. 22, the lefthander struck out 11 batters in seven innings, gave up three earned runs and go the win.
Righthander Roki Sasaki has gone from occasional liability to asset. In his last six starts, he’s 2-0 with a 2.31 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 35 innings.
The rotation could go from stacked to crowded if Ohtani regains his form and endurance. He hasn’t pitched in a game since July 3 because of issues with his left knee. He is 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA,
The Dodgers’ bullpen has show dependability too. Roberts said there was no option other than Edwin Diaz to close games even after Diaz’s disastrous outing Aug. 13 against the Milwaukee Brewers, but he appears to be wrong.
Dodgers reliever Tanner Scott has picked up three saves in the past four games.
Reality check?
When the Dodgers lost 10 of 13 games, eight defeats came against three teams: the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks. Through Monday, those teams had a combined record of 217-178 (.549).
By contrast, on their recent tear, the Dodgers won nine games against three teams: the Pirates, Kansas City Royals and Colorado Rockies. Through Sunday, those teams had a combined record of 172-223 (.435).
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dodgers experience whiplash after losing skid gives way to surge
