Dodgers 2026 season in thirds: Final 54 games

The offense took a dip in the final third of the season, but was buoyed by a bounce back from the pitching staff. Just two games into the final 54 games, the Dodgers started their longest losing streak of the season, dropping seven games in a row, but recovered to win 32 games over the final third of the campaign, a 96-win pace.

For the second year in a row, the Dodgers found themselves without both Will Smith and Dalton Rushing for extended periods, and once again Ben Rortvedt was involved in the cleanup mission. This time, both Rortvedt and Hunter Feduccia were reacquired at the trade deadline and handled catching duties for most of August before Smith returned in September and was back to his normal production level in the final month.

Rushing didn't catch after August 1, suffering a partially torn UCL in his right elbow , and then aggravated the elbow during throwing drills in the first week of September , limited to just eight plate appearances over the final eight weeks of the season.