While the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies were making moves in the right direction, the Los Angeles Dodgers were making history for the wrong reasons on a thrilling Saturday in MLB.

Historic loss in LA

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been nowhere near their normal level of play this season, dropping yet another game on Saturday night. 

Their record is now 39-32 on the season, and while they are still in the Wild-Card conversation, they are now four games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League West Division. 

It is perhaps not the fact that they have lost back-to-back games that is concerning, but more so how they lost those games. 

Starting with Friday night, the Dodgers opened an early lead on the San Francisco Giants, going up 4-0 through the first six innings. They even held the Giants hitless through six innings, through debutant pitcher Emmet Sheehan, but everything changed once the Dodgers’ bullpen came in. 

The Giants rattled off five straight runs to take the lead after eight innings. 

The Dodgers gained some momentum back by tying the game in the bottom of the ninth, before ultimately going cold again and losing 7-5 after a two-run top of the 11th for the Giants.

If allowing the Giants to come from behind to win on Friday was bad, Saturday’s game was far worse. 

The Dodgers lost 15-0 on Saturday night, which matches the biggest home shutout loss in Dodgers’ history. 

It was bad enough that the Dodgers’ starting pitcher allowed seven earned runs over 5.2 innings, but the fact that the bullpen allowed another eight is even more concerning. 

The Dodgers are clearly in the midst of a frustrating stretch, and need to get their pitching under control, otherwise this losing streak could become far worse. 

The Dodgers are still the Dodgers though, and they have the talent in the squad capable of turning things around quickly.

They are third favorites to win the World Series at odds of +700, while they are second in the betting for the National League at odds of +275. The Dodgers are favorites at -350 to win the National League West, while they are -1800 to make the playoffs.

Braves continue to roll

Unlike the Dodgers, the Atlanta Braves are a team going in the right direction, and are +340 favorites to win the World Series.

The Braves have won five games in a row and their offense is the main reason why. 

The Braves’ lineup was probably already considered one of the deepest in baseball, as pretty much everyone on their roster can hit and more importantly, provide home runs. 

This was shown on Saturday afternoon as the National League leaders hit a total of four home runs in their 10-2 rout of the Colorado Rockies. 

The Home Run Derby started in the first inning with a grand slam from Matt Olson, before Ozzie Albies added a solo shot in the second, and Eddie Rosario and Orlando Arcia each added a home run of their own in the third.

During their five-game win streak, the Braves are averaging 8.4 runs per game, and have scored at least six runs in all five games. 

This recent explosion of offense has boosted them to fourth in the MLB in total runs. 

Their pitching has also been solid, considering they are still missing several starters. They are allowing 3.6 runs per game during this win streak and have allowed a total of five runs in the three games against the Rockies thus far.

Atlanta are +160 to win the National League, -1200 to win the National League East, and seemingly expected to make the playoffs at -25000.

Phillies pushing for the playoffs

While the Philadelphia Phillies did not get off to the start they wanted this season, they are now coming around and are starting to make noise in the National League. 

The Phillies have won five games in a row and while they find themselves 8.0 games behind the Atlanta Braves in the National League East division, they are just 1.5 games behind in the Wild-Card race. 

This five-game winning streak has put them over .500 at 37-34. 

The most recent of their wins was on Saturday, as they outlasted the Oakland Athletics to win 3-2 in 12 innings. 

During their win streak, they are averaging 6.4 runs per game, while allowing just 2.6 runs per game. 

Their pitching has been a big reason for their success, so if they continue to improve, the Phillies are likely going to be around for the remainder of the season.

Philadelphia are +1800 to win the World Series, +900 to win the National League, +1400 to win the National League East, and -130 to make the playoffs.