Analyzing remaining schedules of NL West contenders

A week ago, the Los Angeles Dodgers led the NL West by five games. Heading into Monday's game at NL Central leader Milwaukee, however, L.A.'s lead has shrunk to 3.5 games over division contenders Arizona and San Diego.

In a division dominated the past decade by the Dodgers, it is shocking to see teams this close in the divisional race so deep into the season. Remaining schedules for each team will play a huge part in determining who will win the division, won by the Dodgers nine of the past 11 seasons.

Beginning Monday, 30 of the Dodgers' 44 remaining games , including their next 20, are against teams currently with winning records. This stretch includes a four-game series at Arizona and a three-game series at home against the Padres.

The Dodgers also have a series against the first-place Brewers, first-place Cleveland Guardians and first-place Baltimore Orioles.

Los Angeles has a 39-30 record against teams currently .500 or better, so the Dodgers are prepared for this gauntlet.

On Monday, Mookie Betts returns to the Dodgers lineup for the first time since he went on the injured list in mid-June. The return of the eight-time All-Star outfielder should boost Los Angeles' offense, the 10th best in the majors.

For the Padres, 31 of their 44 remaining games are against teams currently with a winning record. This includes their last two series of the season, at the Dodgers and at the Diamondbacks.

The Padres are 35-35 against teams currently .500 or better this season, so winning as many of their 13 games against teams with losing records is critical for them to stay within striking distance of Los Angeles.

Finally, for the Diamondbacks, just like San Diego, 31 of their 44 remaining games are against teams currently with a record of .500 or better. This includes two series against the Brewers and one series apiece against the Dodgers and Padres.

Arizona is 34-34 this season against teams .500 or better, so beating the bad teams is also crucial for it to stay within striking distance.

The good news for the Diamondbacks and Padres is that they both have beaten the Dodgers in the postseason over the past two years, so Los Angeles' intimidation factor should be nil for them.

The NL West's final stretch should be the most entertaining in the majors. One bad stretch by any team could allow the other two to win the West.