The Los Angeles Dodgers are closing in on their 12th consecutive postseason appearance, with a chance to secure their third straight National League West title and 11th divisional crown in the last dozen years. As of Sunday night, the Dodgers hold a 3½ game lead over the San Diego Padres and a 5-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League West, with a magic number of 10 to clinch the division.
The Dodgers’ magic number to secure a playoff spot is even lower at 5, thanks to their strong position relative to the teams competing for the final wild-card spots. The Padres lead the wild-card race, with the Diamondbacks two games ahead of the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets. Los Angeles holds tiebreakers over the Braves and Mets, currently tied for the third wild-card position.
World Series Odds
The Dodgers remain the favorites to win the National League and the World Series. According to Dafa Sports, Los Angeles is the +330 to win the 2024 championship, ahead of the New York Yankees (+500), the Philadelphia Phillies (+500), the Houston Astros (+900), and Baltimore Orioles (+1000).
Playoff Seeding
Regarding National League seeding, the Dodgers are in a tight race with the Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers for the top two seeds, which would earn them a bye directly into the Division Series.
The Brewers still have a chance to win one of the top two National League seeds, but they lost the tiebreaker advantage against the Dodgers and will lose it against the Phillies if they drop any of their games in this month’s three-game set, which begins Monday in Milwaukee. The Dodgers’ magic number to clinch a bye is 11 over the Brewers.
Next Up
The Dodgers took game three of their four-game series against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday with a dramatic 9-2 victory. After a tight game through eight innings, the Dodgers exploded for seven runs in the top of the ninth, including three consecutive home runs from Teoscar Hernández, Tommy Edman, and Max Muncy. The win was particularly significant given the Dodgers’ recent struggles, losing six of their previous nine games while giving up ten or more runs four times.
Looking ahead, the Dodgers will travel to Miami for a three-game series against the Marlins starting on September 17th. This series presents an opportunity for the Dodgers to further build on their momentum and potentially lower their magic numbers. The Marlins, with a record of 52-88, have already been eliminated from the playoffs and are looking to avoid their first 100-loss season since 2019.
As the regular season winds down, every game becomes crucial for the Dodgers in their pursuit of optimal playoff positioning. Their performance in Miami could significantly determine whether they secure a division title and a first-round bye in the postseason.
News and Notes
Barnes Sidelined with Toe Injury: Catcher Austin Barnes is expected to be placed on the list due to a left big toe contusion sustained during Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Braves. Manager Dave Roberts indicated that Hunter Feduccia would likely be called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City to fill the roster spot.
Glasnow’s Season Cut Short: In a significant blow to the Dodgers’ pitching rotation, Tyler Glasnow has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with an elbow sprain. This loss puts additional strain on the team’s pitching staff as they prepare for the upcoming postseason.
Roberts Mentors Rookie Knack: Following a challenging start against the Braves, rookie pitcher Landon Knack received valuable guidance from Manager Dave Roberts. This mentorship is crucial for Knack’s development as he adapts to the pressures of his debut season and the impending playoffs.
Stone’s Recovery Progress: Amidst the pitching staff’s injury woes, there’s a positive update on rookie Gavin Stone. He is set to begin a throwing program when he recovers from shoulder inflammation. This development offers hope for the Dodgers’ depleted rotation as the postseason approaches.
Hernandez Hopes to Extend Dodgers Stint: Outfielder Teoscar Hernandez, who has performed exceptionally well this season, has expressed his desire to stay with the Dodgers beyond his current one-year contract. His impressive stats make a compelling case for a contract extension, leaving fans and management eager to see if he will remain in Dodger blue for the foreseeable future.