The Los Angeles Dodgers are entering the final stretch of the 2024 regular season with their sights set on securing the National League West title and positioning themselves for a deep playoff run. However, as the team heads into the season’s final two and a half weeks, there remain more questions than answers.
With just 15 games remaining on their schedule, the Dodgers (87-61) are suddenly in a tight race. Their lead over the San Diego Padres (84-65) has shrunk to just 3.5 games in the division, while they are 2.5 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies (89-59) for the best record in baseball. Los Angeles is 5-5 over their last ten games and has seen their odds for betting at bookmakers from nongamstopcasinos.net slip slightly.
The Dodgers’ final 15-game push begins with the last two games of a four-game series against the Atlanta Braves (81-67). The Dodgers have been manhandled by the Braves, who are neck-and-neck with the New York Mets (81-67) in a battle for the final wild-card spot in the National League. Atlanta has outscored Los Angeles 16-3 over the series’ first two games, including a 10-1 defeat on Saturday where Jack Flaherty struggled and the Dodgers could not solve Chris Sale.
The final two games of this matchup could have significant implications for playoff seeding, with the Dodgers looking to hold on to the division and vie for a first-round bye. The Dodgers hold a slim one-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers (83-64) for that coveted position.
Road Trip Continues
Following the Braves series, the Dodgers will embark on a short two-game trip to Miami to face the Marlins (58-89). Despite the Marlins’ struggles this season, the Dodgers cannot afford to take these games lightly, as every win is crucial in their pursuit of postseason positioning. The Marlins, eliminated from playoff contention and on pace for a 100-loss season, will be looking to play spoiler against the high-powered Dodgers.
Final Homestand
The team then returns home for a six-game homestand, starting with a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies (56-91). Like the Marlins, the Rockies have been eliminated from playoff contention and are enduring a difficult season. However, divisional matchups often bring out the best in teams, and the Dodgers will need to maintain their focus to secure these critical wins.
The homestand concludes with a pivotal three-game series against the San Diego Padres, who are still in the playoff hunt. This series could potentially decide the National League West title and will undoubtedly be filled with playoff-like intensity. The Padres, desperate to close the gap in the division, will bring their best effort to Dodger Stadium.
Final Series in Colorado
The regular season wraps up with a three-game road trip to Colorado, giving the Dodgers one final opportunity to fine-tune their performance before the postseason begins. While the Rockies may be out of contention, the unique challenges of playing at Coors Field could provide valuable experience for the Dodgers as they prepare for the unpredictable nature of playoff baseball.
Race within the Race
As the Dodgers navigate this final stretch, all eyes will be on superstar Shohei Ohtani, who is on the verge of a historic achievement. With 15 games remaining, Ohtani needs just three home runs and two stolen bases to reach the remarkable 50-50 milestone. This unprecedented feat would further cement Ohtani’s status as one of the game’s most electrifying players and could significantly boost the Dodgers’ momentum heading into October.
The Dodgers seem committed to playing Ohtani until he reaches these milestones, so he is expected to remain in the lineup daily.
Pitching Injuries
However, the Dodgers’ playoff aspirations have been dealt a significant blow with the news that ace pitcher Tyler Glasnow is likely out for the remainder of the season due to a strained elbow. Glasnow’s absence leaves a gaping hole in the Dodgers’ rotation, forcing manager Dave Roberts to recalibrate his pitching plans for the postseason.
With Glasnow sidelined, the Dodgers will rely heavily on Jack Flaherty and Yoshinobu Yamamoto as their top two starters. Flaherty, acquired at the trade deadline, has been a solid addition to the rotation, while Yamamoto has shown flashes of brilliance in his rookie season. However, the depth behind these two remains a concern, and Roberts must carefully manage his pitching staff to navigate the challenges of playoff baseball.
The loss of Glasnow underscores the importance of the Dodgers’ high-powered offense, led by Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman. This trio has been the driving force behind the Dodgers’ success this season, and their performance in these final 15 games could be the key to securing home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
World Series Odds
As the regular season winds down, the odds to win the World Series reflect the tight race at the top of the National League. The Dodgers sit at +330 to win, still ahead of the Phillies at +460. The Braves are long shots at +2100, while the Padres are at +1300. The Brewers, despite pushing for that first-round bye, are listed at +2300. The Arizona Diamondbacks (+2800) and New York Mets (+4500) round out the National League hopefuls.
These final 15 games will not only determine the Dodgers’ playoff seeding but also serve as a crucial period for fine-tuning their roster and strategies for the postseason. With the loss of Glasnow, Roberts will need to be creative in his pitching management, potentially utilizing bullpen games or unconventional starter usage to maximize his team’s chances of success.
The baseball world will watch closely as the Dodgers embark on this final stretch. Can Ohtani achieve his historic 50-50 season? Will the Dodgers’ offense be enough to overcome their pitching concerns? And can they hold off the surging Padres to claim another NL West title? The answers to these questions will unfold over the next two weeks, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting and unpredictable postseason.
