NL Westworld: Dodgers return to first
NL West standings after games of June 26
By Jon Weisman
Eighty-five games after they last held the lead, 41 games after Clayton Kershaw last held the mound, the Dodgers have returned to first place in the National League West.
Three hours after the Dodgers pounded the Phillies, 15-5, San Francisco put runners on second and third with one out in the ninth inning but fell to Pittsburgh, 4-3, giving Los Angeles a view atop the division for the first time since May 10.
The bookends? Home runs by Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard, who hit two off Kenta Maeda on May 11 to knock the Dodgers into second place. Tonight in Arizona, Syndergaard hit his third homer of the year, heralding the Dodgers’ re-ascension.
Since June 26, the Dodgers have gone 25-16 (.610), while the Giants are 17-25 (.405).
The Dodgers have 44 games to play, and nine of them — more than 20 percent — against the Giants.
Dodger Insider 
Truly amazing with the way the shape the starting pitching is in, it’s pretty remarkable really. Dave Roberts should be a favorite for manager of the year at this point.
I’ll watch the Giant game this afternoon, with hopes that they won’t go back into a virtual tie with us.