The Dodgers closed out Saturday with a 92-69 record and their playoff plans still suspended, as their Wild Card opponent hinges on Sunday’s outcomes featuring the Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets. With the Reds facing the Milwaukee Brewers and the Mets meeting the Miami Marlins, the final ticket to Dodger Stadium is still in play. Cincinnati owns the head-to-head tiebreaker, giving them about the same edge as a live dealer blackjack game, so if both clubs finish even, the Reds clinch the Wild Card spot.
This uncertainty has kept the Dodgers’ preparation efforts in motion, with staff and players taking a dual-track approach. Sunday’s importance cannot be overstated, as every matchup, bullpen session, and travel plan hinges on how these two games conclude.
Consistent Power Amid Challenges
The Dodgers’ season has featured steady, if unspectacular, power production and durable performances from its core stars. Shohei Ohtani, signed to bolster the lineup and rotation, enters Sunday with a .279 batting average, 54 home runs, and 101 RBIs. These totals place him among the league’s elite, though they don’t break historical markers for baseball or single-season standards, and reflect his value as a consistent offensive centerpiece. Ohtani needs one more home run on Sunday to break his Los Angeles Dodgers record of 54 set last season and tied this year.
After a slow start, Mookie Betts rebounded late in the year to close Saturday batting .258 with 20 home runs and 82 RBIs. Batting behind Ohtani in the number two position and playing shortstop, Betts’s overall production has trended below previous seasons. Freddie Freeman continued to anchor the Dodgers’ order with a .294 average, 24 home runs, and 91 RBIs, batting third for most of the season.
Andy Pages emerged as a key outfield contributor, finishing Saturday with 27 home runs, 74 RBIs, and a .272 average. Teoscar Hernández kept the middle of the order productive, and Will Smith chipped in with timely hits across the second half. Thanks to reliable depth, the lineup could absorb injuries to Max Muncy, Tommy Edman, and Will Smith, and all three are expected to be back for the postseason.
Rotation: One of MLB’s Deepest Units
Los Angeles built its playoff hopes on rotation effectiveness. Blake Snell turned in 11 starts with a 2.35 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 61.1 innings and is expected to start on Tuesday against the Mets or the Reds. In his second MLB season, Yoshinobu Yamamoto maintained a 2.49 ERA while leading the club with 12 wins and 201 strikeouts. Tyler Glasnow, who, like Snell, missed much of the season, delivered a 3.19 ERA and 106 punchouts, cementing his role as a workhorse over the summer. Clayton Kershaw added 22 starts at a 3.36 ERA, while Emmet Sheehan stabilized the back end of the rotation, often stepping in behind Ohtani’s mid-season short starts. Ohtani returned to pitching gradually due to injury management, making 14 starts, recording a 2.87 ERA, with 62 strikeouts in just 47 innings pitched.
Bullpen Struggles Shape Playoff Questions
Unlike recent Dodgers teams, the 2025 bullpen has been a chronic liability. Relievers collectively posted a 4.28 ERA through Saturday, the sixth worst in franchise history. The group was characterized by instability, blown late leads, and frequent conversions from wins to losses in critical games. Injuries to Brusard Graterol, Evan Phillips, and Michael Kopech left manager Dave Roberts searching for reliable late-inning solutions, particularly in high-leverage situations. Alex Vesia, Tanner Scott, Blake Treinen, and Kirby Yates failed to anchor the relief corps down the stretch consistently, and the club endured 26 blown saves and 96 bullpen meltdowns entering the final day.
Wild Card Opponent Hinges on Reds-Mets Outcome
Sunday’s games will finalize the National League playoff bracket. If both the Reds and Mets win, or both lose, Cincinnati advances thanks to its edge in their season series. Should the Mets win and the Reds lose, New York claims the Wild Card spot. Cincinnati’s hopes are built on Elly De La Cruz, who has notched 32 home runs, 87 RBIs, and 48 steals, alongside starters Hunter Greene and Andrew Abbott. The Mets are paced by Pete Alonso (42 homers, 106 RBIs) and Francisco Lindor (25 homers, 91 RBIs), with Kodai Senga leading the rotation.
Dodgers’ Preparation for October
The coaching staff has constructed segmented preparation plans, adjusting expected pitching sequences and defensive alignments for both potential challengers. The Dodgers enjoy a healthy starting rotation and an everyday lineup with speed and power, but the postseason will test the club’s ability to compensate for bullpen shortcomings.
Conclusion: Readiness, Not Certainty
As the suspenseful regular season closes, the Dodgers stand prepared yet aware of their challenges—namely, late-inning instability and the unpredictability of a one-series Wild Card. Whether the club’s October journey opens against Cincinnati’s youthful athleticism or New York’s experienced veterans, Los Angeles remains focused on leveraging its consistent offense and strong starting pitching, with every plan subject to the results from Miami and Milwaukee.
