The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the final week of the regular season with a pivotal three-game series against the San Diego Padres that ultimately determined the winner of the National League West.
The opening matchup saw the Padres narrowly defeat the Dodgers by turning a game-ending triple play. The win helped San Diego clinch a postseason berth and kept L.A.’s magic number to clinch the division at four.
However, the Dodgers bounced back with two consecutive wins to secure the NL West for the 11th time in the last 12 seasons.
Manny Machado said the Padres weren’t disappointed about the outcome and are confident they will face the Dodgers again in the postseason, via AJ Cassavell of MLB.com:
“No disappointment,” said third baseman Manny Machado. “We’re having a great season. We’re in the postseason. We’re going to see them in a few weeks.”
The Dodgers were able to hold on to win the NL West despite a plethora of injuries and the Padres’ excellent play in the second half. San Diego posted a 43-20 record since the All-Star break, which was the best mark in baseball.
They figure to be a tough out in the playoffs and will begin their journey when they host the No. 5 seed in a best-of-three NL Wild Card Series at Petco Park.
Will Dodgers & Padres meet in postseason?
If the Padres win their Wild Card Series matchup, they will advance to face the Dodgers in the NL Division Series for the second time in the last three seasons. San Diego went 8-5 against L.A. during the regular season.
Who the Padres match up against won’t be determined until Monday with the conclusion of the doubleheader between the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves. The Padres could face either of them, but not the Arizona Diamondbacks, who are also still a possibility to make the Wild Card Series but as the No. 6 seed.
The Dodgers clinched a first-round bye in the postseason and will host the NLDS at Dodger Stadium with Game 1 on Saturday, Oct. 5.
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