Once the Dodgers got rolling on Saturday, their momentum refused to slow. Following a 13-run outburst the previous night, the Dodgers sealed their dominance with a 10-2 victory on Sunday in the Bay Area. Critical contributions came from Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and the Dodgers’ high-profile $83 million duo—Teoscar Hernandez and Michael Conforto. By game’s end, manager Dave Roberts had every reason to praise their performances.

In both games, the Dodgers efficiently neutralized the Giants’ starters by the fifth inning—Logan Webb on Saturday and Robbie Ray on Sunday. After Freeman drove in a run with a double in the fifth, Ray exited, and shortly thereafter, Conforto was sent in as a pinch hitter. The Dodgers’ outfielder promptly responded, driving in two runs with a clean hit through the right side of the infield. He added an RBI single in the eighth to finish with three RBIs, boosting his batting average to .200 since June 20.

Roberts heaped praise on Conforto: “It was great. It was great. I think he’s in a good spot. He gets the credit for being ready, coming off the bench and having a really nice day.” The veteran outfielder had struggled over the prior two months, slashing just .218/.307/.361 with eight RBIs, 12 runs, and eight doubles over 137 plate appearances since June.

Teoscar Hernandez continued his standout season with his second four-hit game. In the previous contest, he went 3-for-5 during the Dodgers’ 13-7 win. Roberts remarked, “His overall play in the last couple of weeks has been very good, and it’s especially rewarding to see him perform strongly against left-handed pitching.”

Hernández’s recent surge has been key to the Dodgers’ offensive consistency, and both Hernández and Conforto will be looked upon to maintain this level in their upcoming three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

A look at the Dodgers’ playoff situation

Dave Roberts’s post-game satisfaction was understandable after the Dodgers’ offensive explosion against the Giants. Now, with just 13 games remaining, the Dodgers find themselves in a tight NL division race with the San Diego Padres, who have 12 games left. The two teams won’t face each other again, making every remaining game critical.

To clinch the division title, the Dodgers need favorable results in just 10 of their remaining 25 games. By contrast, the Padres require 16 wins out of 25 to keep pace. Adding to their playoff push, the Dodgers anticipate the return of key bullpen arm Brock Stewart, who has been sidelined but is expected to start his rehab assignment soon.

While the Dodgers’ bullpen has faced challenges lately, starting pitching has been a consistent strength this month. However, recent near-comebacks by opponents—such as a three-run rally by the Orioles—highlight bullpen vulnerabilities. The Dodgers have suffered three walk-off losses just this September.

Stewart, who played his early years (2016-2019) with the Dodgers before his recent acquisition, expressed optimism about his imminent return. “If I can knock it out in a few weeks and get back to help out the team leading up to the playoffs, it’s great. That’s the plan for sure,” he said. With two weeks until October, Stewart’s return is viewed as a timely boost as the Dodgers enter the most crucial stretch of their season.

As October approaches, the Dodgers have demonstrated why they remain a formidable postseason contender. Encouraging contributions from Teoscar Hernandez and Michael Conforto, combined with a strong starting rotation, have reignited their momentum just as the playoff race tightens. While bullpen inconsistencies persist, the impending return of Brock Stewart offers a timely boost. With a realistic path to clinching the NL West and important series ahead—especially against the Phillies—the Dodgers are positioned to make a deep playoff run. Their performance in these final weeks will be critical in their quest for back-to-back World Series glory.