The Los Angeles Dodgers have been the talk of the MLB after a prolific offseason that saw them land some of the top free agents in the market. Couple this with the “sweeping” success of the Tokyo Series, and they were deemed as the team to beat in the Majors.
However, after a tough road swing against the Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals that saw them go 2-4, one MLB Analyst is already out on them winning the NL West, in favor of rival San Diego Padres.
Analyst Thinks Padres Will Win NL West Over Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers are currently 11-4 and 2nd in the division behind the 11-3 Padres. They are undefeated at home in LA, but four road losses in six games have some people worried.
Longtime sports analyst Rob Parker is one of those people, and he believes that at this moment, the Dodgers do not look like a team that can win the division over the Padres.
“I know they’re going to win a lot of games,” Parker said on a segment of MLB Now. “I saw in D.C. though, I gotta admit, sloppy fielding, some misplays in the infield. It ain’t automatic, you got to button up all those things. The [Dodgers] had to go to the minor leagues to get a starting pitcher against Washington, gave up home runs.”
Will the Padres win the NL West?@robparkerMLBbro sees a winner in San Diego.#MLBNowShowdown pic.twitter.com/SEPKdu4TPV
— MLB Now (@MLBNow) April 10, 2025
While there is understandable cause for concern, the Dodgers have been struck by the injury bug.
The starting rotation has already taken a big hit as Blake Snell is expected to miss a “couple of weeks.” Superstar first baseman Freddie Freeman had an off-the-field accident that put him on the 10-day IL.
Also Read: Los Angeles Dodgers Share Injury Updates On 4 Injured Pitchers, Including All-Star
Similar to their World Series run last season, Dave Roberts has managed to patch up the roster and remain undefeated at home.
The depth has been questioned, however, and Andy Pages has struggled mightily in center field. The hope was that Tommy Edman, who is having an All-Star season so far, would be the full-time center fielder, but since Hyeseong Kim was sent to the Minors, he has been forced to play 2nd base.
Kim is the missing piece that could solve most of these problems (aside from Snell and Freeman, who returned on Friday, getting fully healthy), as he was seen as the starting second baseman when the Dodgers signed him from the Korean league.
Regardless, we are a long way from October and a team being crowned NL West Champion. For now, the Dodgers just need to weather the storm and chip away with some quality starts.