Dodgers Nation Podcast Network

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ESPN's Alden Gonzalez reports the Dodgers are calling up top prospect Josue De Paula, who joins the team Friday for the Miami series, likely getting at-bat runway at DH as Ohtani (neck, knee, bicep) has missed six of the last seven games.
Shohei Ohtani's recent slump is BAD: 5-for-39 (.128) over his last 10 games with no homers, 16 strikeouts, and an 0-for-3 outing Monday, despite a strong .902 OPS/30 HR season overall.
Josue De Paula profile: 21 years old, MLB's No. 6 overall prospect, praised for an advanced hitting approach (compared to Juan Soto's plate discipline) but considered a defensive liability in left field. Josue De Paula's Double-A Tulsa numbers: .303/.401/.547 with 27 HR, 37 doubles, 31 steals, 81 walks against just 87 strikeouts — a 25/25 season, the first in the Dodgers organization this year.
BREAKING: Shohei Ohtani is officially headed to the injured list per Dave Roberts, retroactive to account for recent missed games, given the two-way designation's 15-day minimum.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto tossed 7 innings, allowing only 1 run against 10 strikeouts on just 90 pitches as the Dodgers routed the Reds 14-1 for their seventh straight win.
Dave Roberts' press conference: Dave Roberts confirms that Josue De Paula will make his MLB debut Friday as primary DH (with occasional left field time). Doc also confirmed that Shohei Ohtani is shut down for a few days before ramping back up, adding that Shohei Ohtani "would be in the lineup" if the playoffs started tomorrow.
DMAC's takeaways: The corresponding move is set, Shohei Ohtani has a real shot to be close to full health for October, and Josue De Paula's postseason roster spot is "on the table" depending on performance.

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The Dodgers has tied its longest winning streak with 6 games. LA sits 1.5 games back of the Brewers with a magic number of 7, and discuss Tarik Skubal's strong 7⅓-inning outing.

Shohei Ohtani will return to the lineup after Dave Roberts confirmed Ohtani likely won't pitch again this season. Should the Dodgers have shut down his pitching earlier to protect his health? Given his current swing/timing struggles, should Shohei Ohtani keep hitting leadoff or move down the order with Tommy Edman leading off instead?

Teoscar Hernández is praised as "meeting the moment," hitting .500 over his last nine games with power and clutch production, credited to healthier swing mechanics.

Kyle Tucker's prolonged slump is concerning. Kyle Tucker is 2-for-24 in September. Do the Dodgers front office and teammates still believe in his underlying effort and ability heading into the postseason?

Does Hyeseong Kim have a future with the Dodgers? The group debates Hyeseong Kim's uncertain MLB role after Alex Freeland's call-up, with everyone expressing continued belief in Kim's talent despite limited opportunities.

Clutchest closer? Between "Baby Bazooka" Edgardo Henriquez, Tanner Scott, and a recovering Edwin Díaz, who should be the defacto closer in the postseason?

Yoshinobu Yamamoto's start tonight. The panel predicts that Yamamoto will give up a home run but the offense backs him up for an easy win.

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The Dodgers' 6-game win streak ties best mark of the year. Dodgers beat the Reds 3-2, improving to 88-57, now just a game and a half back of Milwaukee for the best record in baseball and building a 3-game cushion on Atlanta for the NL's #2 seed. Arguably, it's better to hold the #2 seed than #1, given first-round matchup implications (Braves/Chris Sale vs. Diamondbacks/Padres).



Tarik Skubal goes 7.1 innings, allowing 2 runs (incl. a two-run homer to Elly De La Cruz) on 4 hits; solid but not the "signature" ace start McKain wants given Skubal's looming $400M free agency.



Tarik Skubal speaks on mechanics. Tarik Skubal speaks on throwing "through the target", working with Mark Prior, confidence in Will Smith behind the plate, and praise for Edgardo Henriquez's stuff out of the bullpen. DMAC reacts critically to Skubal's comments to Bill Shaikin (LA Times) calling the incoming Angels ownership (Stan Kroenke) an attractive free-agent destination. Doug calls it unnecessary "politics" given the Dodgers' own financial strength.



The Bats Came Alive! Will Smith hits his first homer since May 29; Teoscar Hernández goes 3-for-3 with an RBI single and is credited as the offensive story of the night; also a note on a questionable send by third-base coach Dino Ebel that got Hernández thrown out at home by Elly De La Cruz's 105.3 mph relay.


Dave Roberts Postgame Interview: Dave Roberts praises Smith's consistency, Henriquez's growing confidence as closer material, and gives an update that Edwin Díaz's return is targeted for Sunday, with the Dodgers' magic number down to 7.



Shohei Ohtani Injury/Roster update: Shohei Ohtani is out of the lineup for load management, but could possibly return as designated hitter tomorrow.


Deep dive on Elly De La Cruz as a trade target: Elly De La Cruz's 2026 stats (.283 avg, 136 wRC+, 25 HR, elite defense/arm) is notable. Coupled with Cincinnati's reported inability to meet his extension demands, Doug believes that the Dodgers should make a move.

Who should the Dodgers give up for Elly De La Cruz? DMAC suggest Dodgers prospect José de Paula plus more for Elly De La Cruz, citing concerns about that prospect's defense.



Kyle Tucker compared to Zack Greinke. DMAC compares Kyle Tucker's rough 2026 season (.221/.321/.350, 87 OPS+) to Zack Greinke's brief Dodgers hitting stint, and a call for Tucker to have a big postseason.

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The Dodgers beat the Reds 6-3 for their fifth straight win, improving to 87-57, but Ohtani went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in his return from four missed games, looking uncomfortable at the plate. Shohei Ohtani's brutal recent stretch: 2-for-his-last-26 with 13 strikeouts, a .077 average over seven games, tying it to lingering knee, biceps, and neck issues affecting his swing mechanics.



Shohei Ohtani's first media availability at Dodger Stadium since July 28th, addressing his season-ending pitching decision. Shohei Ohtani says he'll shut down pitching for the rest of the season, calls it "disappointing" but frames it as a learning experience, and says he wants to focus on finishing the season strong.

DMAC argues this is a "five-alarm fire" for the Dodgers offense, noting Ohtani has fallen to the 90th-best hitter in MLB since the All-Star break (14% above league average, 26.3% strikeout rate).



Dave Roberts postgame comments: Dave Roberts praised Emmett Sheehan's start, said Ohtani "looked good" physically and drew a walk, and confirmed Shohei Ohtani will start again Sunday in Miami.



Teoscar Hernández postgame scrum: Teoscar Hernández credits mechanical adjustments and lower-body trust for his hot stretch, capped by a go-ahead 3-run homer off a lefty in the 6th inning.



Emmet Sheehan's standout return start highlighted: 5⅔ innings, one run allowed, ten strikeouts (tying a career high) after a stint working on mechanics in the minors.



Doug's five takeaways: Shohei Ohtani shutting down pitching, the offense's continued home-run dependency, ongoing bullpen uncertainty, Evan Phillips looking "postseason ready," and Sheehan potentially earning a playoff roster spot.

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