Machado to L.A.? Giants’ Brandon Crawford says trade of infielder would make S.F.’s task that much harder.

WASHINGTON — Leapfrogging over three teams in the National League West is tough enough, but doing it with Manny Machado playing shortstop on the division leaders makes it a more grueling task.

The Dodgers are expected to land Machado any day, a trade that could turn the division’s balance of power and put more heat on the Diamondbacks, Rockies and Giants.

“Ooph, OK,” Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford said when told of the Machado-to-Los Angeles reports. “Any team that gets him will have an immediate impact, for sure. He’s one of the best players in the game. That goes for the Dodgers also.”

Machado was a Baltimore third baseman until moving to shortstop this year, and short is his preference. The Dodgers have a need with Corey Seager missing most of the season with an elbow injury. Chris Taylor has subbed for Seager.

“You would hope the Dodgers wouldn’t land somebody like him because that’s the team we’re all are trying to chase and trying to beat right now,” Crawford said. “You don’t want them to get better.

“I still think we have a team that can challenge anybody, especially with guys coming off the DL.”

Though the Giants have won three World Series titles in eight years, the Dodgers are desperate for their first championship since 1988.

Lowrie’s ailments: Second baseman Jed Lowrie is glad to get a couple of days rest before his A’s face the Giants on Friday in Oakland. He sustained whiplash and a lower leg bruise in a collision with Stephen Piscotty over the weekend and was feeling a bit sore the past couple of days.

“It’ll be a few games here,” said Lowrie, predicting how long it’ll take to be 100 percent, “but it’ll certainly help to be off my feet.”

Briefly: The final out was Lorenzo Cain’s fly to Mitch Haniger in right field, but Haniger didn’t keep the ball. “I flipped it to Jed (Lowrie). Hopefully, Jed saved it,” Haniger said . ... The American League All-Stars hold a 4443-2 edge over the National League.

“He’s one of the best players in the game.” Brandon Crawford, Giants shortstop, on Manny Machado

Photos by Patrick Smith / Getty Images Brandon Crawford of the Giants seemingly brought the San Francisco fog with him to the Home Run Derby on Monday in Washington, D.C.

Shortstop Manny Machado, rumored to be on his way to Los Angeles, takes a selfie with a possible future teammate, Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp, during the second inning of Tuesday’s All-Star Game.