Michael J. Duarte is a sports writer and reporter with NBCLA. He is known for his sharp wit in sports news storytelling and his detailed sports features, Duarte is the 2019 Southern California Sports Journalist of the Year and currently covers the Los Angeles Lakers, Dodgers, Rams, and more.
The Latest
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Dodgers bullpen keeps hopes alive with nine shutout innings in 8-0 victory over Padres in Game 4 of NLDS
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts did not know how many healthy and rested relievers he would have at his disposable with his team facing elimination in Game 4 of the National League Division Series on Wednesday night. “It’s essentially all hands on deck,” said Roberts before the game. “It’s a bullpen game. You can’t be afraid to fail....
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Dodgers facing elimination in NLDS for third straight postseason after comeback falls short in 6-5 loss to Padres in Game 3
On Sunday night, following the San Diego Padres blowout victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers, outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. was asked to describe his relationship with the fans at Dodger Stadium. “Wild,” he said smiling. Little did he know that adjective would also be apropos to describe the pivotal Game 3 of the series at Petco Park on Tuesday...
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Los Angeles Lakers unveil City Edition uniform and court for 2024-25 season
The Los Angeles Lakers have never been a team that shies away from the spotlight. They’ve built a legacy on winning championships, sure, but they’ve also done it with swagger and flair. Today, that legacy takes a new step forward as the team revealed their highly anticipated City Edition uniform and court for the 2024-25 NBA season. This bold...
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Dodgers no longer favorites in Division Series against Padres, World Series odds shift dramatically after blowout loss in Game 2
As the MLB Division Series unfolds, the baseball world is in for a shock. For the first time this season, the Los Angeles Dodgers—once a heavy favorite—find themselves in an unfamiliar role: the underdogs. After a split in the first two games, the odds have swung in favor of San Diego, who now hold a slight edge in advancing...
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Padres power and defense dazzles in 10-2 blowout win over Dodgers to even NLDS at 1-1
Tensions ran high at Dodger Stadium during Game 2 of the National League Division Series on Sunday night. Over the last six years, the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres have turned into bitter rivals. Ever since Manny Machado switched uniforms from blue to brown after the 2018 season, betting the entirety of his $300 million contract that his…
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Shohei Ohtani homers in first postseason start, Dodgers rally to beat Padres 7-5 in Game 1 of NLDS
Hours before his first career playoff game, Shohei Ohtani, baseball’s active leader in most games played without a postseason appearance, was asked if he was nervous. “Nope,” he said matter of factly in English without the use of a translator. Turns out he was right. In his first ever playoff game, Ohtani performed the same as he has in...
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Padres take bold steps to keep Dodgers fans out of Petco Park for NLDS showdown
The rivalry between the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers is about to hit new heights as the 2024 MLB Playoffs are in full swing. With the National League Division Series (NLDS) set to showcase these two NL West heavyweights, the Padres are pulling out all the stops to ensure that Petco Park remains a fortress of San Diego…
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Three Dodgers players that could be X-Factors in the 2024 Postseason
For the Los Angeles Dodgers to make a deep run in 2024, they’ll need more than just their marquee names to perform. Here are three players that can be potential x-factors for the Boys in Blue this October.
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Dodgers defeat rival Padres 7-2 to clinch 11th NL West division title in 12 years
The Dodgers dominance atop the National League West division continues. Will Smith hit the game-tying home run, Shohei Ohtani singled in the go-ahead run, and Mookie Betts delivered a two-run single as the Los Angeles Dodgers scored five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to come from behind to beat the San Diego Padres 7-2 on Thursday night…
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LAFC ends four-game losing streak in title games with 3-1 victory over Sporting KC in 2024 U.S. Open Cup Final
Playing in their fifth final in the last two years, LAFC snapped their four-game losing streak in title games with a 3-1 victory in extra time over Sporting Kansas City in the 2024 U.S. Open Cup Final.