The Los Angeles Dodgers are nearing the conclusion of another high-stakes regular season, contending for supremacy in the National League West as September draws to a close. With an 86-67 record, the Dodgers hold a narrow lead over the San Diego Padres and remain locked in a heated pursuit of postseason positioning. Only a handful of games remain, and the outcome of each contest will determine whether Los Angeles can claim the division title, secure a favorable seed, and maximize its path through the playoffs.
Entering the season’s final week, the Dodgers trail the Milwaukee Brewers and the Philadelphia Phillies in the race for the best record in the National League. Milwaukee has surged to a 94-59, while Philadelphia sits at 91-62, leaving Los Angeles with a slim margin for error if it hopes to improve its seeding. Los Angeles brings a blend of experienced stars and fresh contributors to this closing stretch, confronting opportunity and uncertainty as injuries and schedule quirks come into play.
Race for the Division
The Dodgers’ position atop the National League West is far from secure. The Padres, with an 83-70 record, are three games behind and continue to push the division leaders. Arizona and San Francisco remain mathematically in contention but have faded behind in recent weeks. That said, the Dodgers are in the driver’s seat. Grizzly’s Quest casino and sportsbook has them at -350 odds to win the division, and +450 to win the World Series. The team’s ability to handle business against remaining opponents will be crucial, especially with games against the San Francisco Giants and other division foes still ahead.
Compared to their main competitors, the Dodgers have faced a slightly more challenging slate in the closing weeks, but they have posted a 7-3 record over their last ten games, helping keep San Diego at bay. Consistency has been a hallmark—Los Angeles has performed well against teams with winning records this season, and with the closing series against the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners, two teams who are in their own playoff races, they will need to sustain that approach to close the division.
Roster Composition and Health
Player absences continue to shape the Dodgers’ approach. The club has battled various injuries, with several key contributors still working toward a return. Roki Sasaki, once a potential late-season difference-maker, remains on the injured list and has made only limited rehab appearances in Triple-A. Catcher Will Smith, a critical bat, is out with a hand injury, and his timeline for return remains uncertain. The pitching staff remains shorthanded, with Brusdar Graterol ruled out for the season.
Despite these setbacks, the organization’s depth has held. Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, and Clayton Kershaw have anchored the rotation at different points, providing both innings and stability. Glasnow and Snell, in particular, have worked deep into games and limited opposition scoring, while Yamamoto’s rookie campaign has been a bright spot for the rotation. Having returned to the mound this season, Ohtani adds another layer of star power and versatility down the stretch.
Offensive Contributions
The Dodgers’ offense remains one of the most productive units in the National League. Shohei Ohtani has powered the lineup, launching 51 home runs and driving in 95 runs, while posting a .394 on-base percentage. Freddie Freeman continues to deliver with a .295 batting average, reinforcing the middle of the order with disciplined at-bats and steady run production. The lineup’s supporting cast has excelled at getting on base and creating scoring opportunities, reflected in the club’s 780 runs scored—among the best marks in baseball.
While not every veteran has matched prior production levels, contributions from new arrivals and reserve players have helped offset injuries. The lineup’s mix of discipline and power has been a decisive factor in the club’s ability to weather roster turmoil and hang with the league’s top teams.
Bullpen Adjustments
Los Angeles has retooled its bullpen in response to an evolving injury picture. Alex Vesia has stepped into the closer’s role, providing reliability in late-inning situations. The supporting bullpen corps, including Anthony Banda and Blake Treinen, have been bridging games between the starting rotation and the ninth inning. While the absence of established arms like Brusdar Graterol has forced recalibration, the relief unit has generally held up under increased workload.
The bullpen’s ability to manage inherited runners and deliver in high-leverage contexts will carry added weight moving into both the final days of the regular season and the playoffs. Each decision by manager Dave Roberts on bullpen usage could hold significant consequences for the club’s competitive outlook.
Outlook in the National League
The National League landscape has shifted in recent weeks as teams jockey for postseason seeding. Milwaukee has established the strongest record, combining reliable starting pitching with a robust bullpen. Philadelphia benefits from veteran hitting and balance across its roster, while San Diego’s late push has added further urgency to the National League West race. With so many clubs within reach of the top seeds, the Dodgers must maintain urgency and execution in every phase.
Securing the division crown and a top-two seed would grant the Dodgers direct passage to the Division Series, giving them valuable time to align their pitching and recover injured players. Failing that, the prospect of a wild-card series would introduce additional risk and variability, underscoring the stakes behind every game in the season’s final week.
Moving Forward
Los Angeles maintains control of its postseason fate, with a blend of established talent and untested contributors poised for an extended run. How the Dodgers integrate returning players, manage workloads, and execute against remaining opponents will ultimately shape the team’s postseason identity.
As the final games of the regular season unfold, the Dodgers continue to play with the possibilities of a division title and a deep playoff campaign. The outcome remains undecided, set to be determined not only by their own performance but also by how rivals handle their own late-season schedules. The team’s established track record, flexibility, and roster depth set the stage for an intriguing finish and an open path as autumn baseball arrives.
