Dodgers Look to be Back on Track With Sweep of Royals

The Los Angeles Dodgers downed the Kansas City Royals 4-2 on Wednesday, closing out a series sweep after a long stretch of losing baseball.

Aug 11, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Fans cheer as Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) scores on a double by right fielder Alex Call (12) in the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

The Dodgers came in to the series having lost eight of their last nine, but Wednesday’s victory locked up a three-game sweep of the Royals.

The Dodgers closed out the series behind Eric Lauer‘s 6.1 inning gem and a trio of home runs.

Eric Lauer deals for the Dodgers

Lauer (7-6) got the win, allowing two runs — only one of them earned — in his six-plus innings.

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He ended with six strikeouts, four hits allowed and two walks.

Jul 6, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Eric Lauer (33) reacts in the second inning against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Landon Knack got the save with 2.2 innings of work, including two strikeouts and two hits allowed.

A trio of homers

The Dodgers were led offensively by Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts, who each had a pair of hits including a home run apiece.

Aug 12, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates with second baseman Miguel Rojas (72) after hitting a two run home run against the Kansas City Royals in the third inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Catcher Hunter Feduccia smacked the other homer.

What about Freddie Freeman’s injury?

In the top of the eighth inning, first baseman Freddie Freeman had a scary fall down some stairs near the Royals dugout.

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He appeared to be OK, though he was pulled for precautionary reasons and taken for a medical exam.

What’s next for the Dodgers?

This series sweep is huge for the Dodgers as they head into a four-game series with the National League-leading Milwaukee Brewers.

The first game is set to begin at 7:10 p.m. PT at Dodger Stadium.

The Brewers (74-47) are starting Shane Drohan (6-4, 3.87), while the Dodgers (73-48) are starting Roki Sasaki (5-5, 4.54 ERA), meaning if the Dodgers take at least three games this series, they have a good shot to retake the best record in the NL.