Dodgers Eliminate Diamondbacks From NL West, 2018 MLB Postseason Contention By Wining Series Vs. Padres
Yasmani Grandal, Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

After dropping the opener, the Los Angeles Dodgers responded with back-to-back wins to avoid a disappointing series loss to the San Diego Padres. It was punctuated with a 14-0 victory on Fan Appreciation Day at Dodger Stadium that also impacted the Arizona Diamondbacks.

DRESS LIKE THE PLAYERS IN OUR EXCLUSIVE ‘WORLD SERIES ATTITUDE’ SHIRT

Prior to their score going final — a loss and sweep at the hands of the Colorado Rockies — the Diamondbacks were officially eliminated from postseason contention because of wins by the St. Louis Cardinals and Dodgers.

It marks a jarring turn in a 2018 season that saw the Diamondbacks sitting atop the National League West standings for four months. They stormed into first place behind a 21-8 start to the season, marking the best in franchise history.

Their largest lead in the NL West was six games. Facing a difficult stretch of games in September saw the Diamondbacks begin a slide that ultimately spelled their demise.

Through games played Sunday, they have lost three in a row and are just 5-16 during the month. Included in that is a combined 1-8 mark against the Dodgers and Rockies, who both remain alive in the NL West race.

Despite their reality, the Diamondbacks can still factor heavily into the division. They begin a three-game series with the Dodgers on Monday, the results of which can swing the NL West pendulum one way or the other.

Arizona is 9-7 against Los Angeles this season.