The Los Angeles Dodgers continued their torrid stretch of summer baseball on Monday night, dominating the Kansas City Royals in a 9-1 victory that showcased every facet of their championship-caliber team. With thunderous home runs, razor-sharp defense, and a gem of a start from young ace Bobby Miller, the Dodgers extended their win streak to seven games and asserted themselves once again as the team to beat in Major League Baseball.
From the moment Mookie Betts stepped into the batter’s box to lead off the game with a rocket double into the left-center gap, to the final out secured by setup man Brusdar Graterol, this was a game where the Dodgers’ depth, discipline, and drive were on full display. For Royals fans, it was a humbling night at Kauffman Stadium. For Dodger fans, it was another electric chapter in what is shaping up to be a magical 2025 campaign.
1. Bobby Miller’s Masterpiece on the Mound
When the Dodgers drafted Bobby Miller in 2020, they envisioned a power right-hander who could eventually lead their rotation. On this night, that vision was realized in full clarity. Miller tossed 7.0 innings of one-run baseball, scattering just four hits, walking none, and striking out nine with a fastball that touched 100 mph and a devastating slider that left Royals hitters guessing all night.
What stood out most was Miller’s efficiency. Of his 98 pitches, 71 were strikes. He attacked the zone from the outset, getting ahead in counts and using his off-speed stuff to put batters away. His pitch sequencing was masterful, with catcher Will Smith calling a brilliant game behind the plate.
“He’s got ace stuff, but more importantly, he’s learning how to be a professional pitcher,” manager Dave Roberts said postgame. “Tonight was as good as I’ve seen him.”
With Clayton Kershaw recovering from offseason shoulder surgery and Walker Buehler still shaking off rust from his Tommy John rehab, Miller’s development has been crucial to the Dodgers’ early season dominance. Monday’s performance only solidified his standing as one of the most dynamic young arms in baseball.
2. Offensive Onslaught: Home Runs Galore
It didn’t take long for the Dodgers’ lineup to flex its muscle.
In the third inning, with the game still scoreless, Shohei Ohtani worked a seven-pitch walk off Royals starter Alec Marsh. That set the stage for Freddie Freeman, who turned on a 2-1 fastball and sent it deep into the right-field fountains for a two-run homer—his 18th of the season. The dugout erupted, and Freeman jogged the bases with a stoic grin.
But the Dodgers weren’t done.
In the fifth, Max Muncy launched a solo shot into the bullpen—his second in as many games since returning from injury. Later, in the seventh, Chris Taylor got in on the action with a pinch-hit three-run blast to left, putting the game fully out of reach at 8-1.
By night’s end, the Dodgers had tallied nine runs on 11 hits, including three home runs and five extra-base hits overall. Every starter reached base at least once. It was a symphony of offensive excellence orchestrated by hitting coach Aaron Bates, who continues to push all the right buttons.
3. Shohei Ohtani’s Quiet Greatness
Even when he doesn’t leave the park, Shohei Ohtani remains at the heart of everything the Dodgers do.
The two-way superstar—limited to hitting duties this season after elbow surgery—had another strong performance at the plate. He finished 2-for-3 with a walk, a double, a run scored, and a stolen base, constantly applying pressure on the Royals’ defense with his elite speed and baserunning instincts.
Perhaps more impressive is his plate discipline. Ohtani saw 24 pitches over his four plate appearances, fouling off tough two-strike offerings and drawing a critical walk to set up Freeman’s home run early.
“He’s just a game-changer,” Freeman said. “Even if he’s not hitting bombs every night, he’s making pitchers work and making the guys around him better.”
Ohtani is now slashing .316/.407/.582 on the season, with 23 home runs and 18 stolen bases. With his arm resting for a 2026 return to pitching, his bat remains as dangerous as ever.
4. The Bullpen Lockdown
Following Miller’s dominant outing, the Dodgers turned to their bullpen to lock things down—and they did just that.
First out was right-hander Michael Grove, who pitched a perfect eighth inning with two strikeouts, flashing improved command and a biting curveball. Then came Brusdar Graterol in the ninth, making his first appearance since returning from the injured list. Graterol, known for his triple-digit sinker and joyful demeanor, threw nine pitches—eight for strikes—and induced three weak groundouts.
Los Angeles’ bullpen has been a strength all season, boasting a top-three ERA in the National League. With Evan Phillips, Ryan Brasier, Joe Kelly, and now Graterol all healthy and firing, Roberts has a full arsenal of high-leverage arms to deploy as October approaches.
5. Defensive Gems and Base Running Brilliance
Great teams don’t just hit and pitch—they defend and run the bases with precision. The Dodgers did both with aplomb on Monday night.
In the fourth inning, with a runner on first and nobody out, Miguel Rojas made a diving stop on a 105-mph grounder up the middle and flipped it with his glove to Gavin Lux, who fired to first for an electrifying double play. The Dodgers’ dugout roared in approval, and Miller pointed to his infielders in thanks.
Later, in the sixth, James Outman gunned down a tagging runner at home with a perfect throw from center field, preserving a five-run lead and sucking the wind out of the Royals’ sails.
On the basepaths, the Dodgers took extra bags with intelligence. Ohtani’s stolen base in the third was his 18th of the year, and Lux turned a routine single into a double in the fifth by reading the Royals’ lazy throw from left.
The attention to detail is no accident—it’s a core tenet of the Dodgers’ organizational philosophy.
6. Royals Left Searching for Answers
While the Dodgers soared, the Royals stumbled through the night, unable to generate any sustained offense and struggling to keep pace with L.A.’s firepower.
Starter Alec Marsh was chased after just 4.2 innings, allowing five runs on six hits, including two homers. The bullpen fared no better, surrendering four more runs over the final innings.
Bobby Witt Jr., the Royals’ dynamic shortstop, went 1-for-4 with a stolen base but was largely neutralized by Miller’s sequencing. Vinnie Pasquantino struck out three times. As a team, Kansas City struck out 13 times and didn’t draw a single walk.
Despite a promising start to the 2025 season, the Royals have cooled off in June and July, and their young core is still learning how to compete with elite clubs like the Dodgers.
7. What This Win Means for L.A.
This wasn’t just another win—it was a statement.
The Dodgers now sit at 57-29 on the year, atop the NL West and tied with the Yankees for the best record in all of baseball. Their run differential (+138) is the highest in the majors. With stars like Betts, Freeman, and Ohtani producing consistently and rising contributors like Miller, Lux, and Outman stepping into larger roles, the Dodgers look every bit like a team on a mission.
They’ve won 15 of their last 18 games, including sweeps of the Giants, Padres, and now Royals. And with the All-Star break looming, they appear poised to send at least five starters to Arlington for the Midsummer Classic.
8. Fan Atmosphere and Momentum Building
Even in Kansas City, the Dodgers’ fan presence was felt. Blue-clad fans filled the first-base side and behind the dugout, cheering on every hit and strikeout. As Muncy rounded the bases, chants of “Let’s go Dodgers!” echoed through the lower bowl.
There’s a growing sense among Dodgers Nation that this could be the year they fully cash in on their historic investment in Shohei Ohtani and a $300M payroll. With a roster this deep, a front office this aggressive, and a manager this experienced, the sky is the limit.
9. Up Next: The Road Trip Continues
The Dodgers will stay on the road to wrap up their series in Kansas City with two more games before heading to St. Louis to face the Cardinals. Slated to pitch Tuesday night is lefty James Paxton, who will try to build on his recent success and continue the Dodgers’ rotation excellence.
With the trade deadline approaching, L.A. could look to bolster the bullpen or add another right-handed bat to prepare for postseason matchups. But for now, it’s all smiles in the clubhouse.
Final Word: Dodgers Clicking on All Cylinders
Monday night’s dismantling of the Royals wasn’t just a win—it was a warning to the rest of baseball: the Los Angeles Dodgers are not just stacked with talent, they’re executing with precision and playing with joy. Their balance of star power, young depth, and postseason experience is unmatched, and if this performance is any indication, they’re only getting stronger as the summer rolls on.
For now, the streak continues—and so does the march toward October glory.
