Series Preview: Dodgers open four-game rivalry set against Giants

With major pieces returning from the injured list both at the plate and on the mound, the Dodgers hope this rivalry series becomes a reset point before the NL West race tightens even further. Dodgers (24-16, 2nd in NL West) That recent offensive funk starts with Shohei Ohtani, who is in the middle of one of the coldest stretches of his Dodgers tenure. Ohtani has just four hits in his last 33 at-bats, and opposing pitchers have increasingly attacked him carefully early in counts instead of challenging him in fastball situations.

Even during Sunday’s loss to Atlanta, the Dodgers had opportunities to shift momentum but again failed to string together quality at-bats consistently. Still, there are signs the lineup may be close to breaking back open. Freddie Freeman finally looked like himself again Friday night against Atlanta, launching his 100th home run as a Dodger after recently adjusting his batting stance to stay through the baseball longer.

The timing of Freeman rediscovering his power matters, especially with Mookie Betts expected to return for Monday's opener after missing more than a month with a right oblique strain. Betts’ return does more than stabilize the top of the lineup. It allows the Dodgers to lengthen the order again while easing pressure on players like Andy Pages and Hyeseong Kim to carry offensive stretches every night.

Pages, meanwhile, continues emerging as one of the Dodgers’ most important breakout stories this season. The young outfielder already has nine home runs and continues producing impact swings even during quieter stretches for the rest of the offense. Max Muncy has quietly become one of the club’s steadiest run producers as well.