the Dodgers are a perfect example.
three days ago they had the best record in baseball. they went into Oakland and got swept.
the Reds swept the Mets(Indians first), who then went home and swept the Orioles
the Reds just went thru a very tough 15 game stretch and went 8-7.
since May 4, the Reds are 26-18. i doubt that any team in baseball has had a tougher schedule over that period of time.
they have had 3 "breather" series in that stretch, and thats IF you consider Milwaukee a "breather". the others being Colorado and Houston