The Los Angeles Dodgers’ magic number to clinch the 2023 National League West title is down to two entering play on Saturday.
After a day of no progress because of a break in the Dodgers’ schedule and San Francisco Giants getting postponed against the Colorado Rockies, outcomes broke favorably for L.A. on Friday.
The Dodgers fell behind to the Seattle Mariners in their series opener at T-Mobile Park, but rallied behind a Miguel Rojas home run and timely hitting from J.D. Martinez for a 6-3 win.
Their magic number to secure the NL West crown was three prior to the game going final, thanks to the Rockies coming away with a walk-off win against the Giants.
Even with that loss, the Arizona Diamondbacks and Giants remain in a dead heat for second place in the division. It’s somewhat of a surprise for San Francisco, while the Diamondbacks have fallen from holding an early lead over the Dodgers in the NL West earlier this year.
Nevertheless, a three-way tie in the NL West remains mathematically possible for the time being.
How can the Dodgers clinch the NL West?
There are two paths to the Dodgers clinching the NL West on Saturday, both of which involve the Giants.
The most direct means would be for the Dodgers to defeat the Mariners and Giants lose one game to the Rockies. However, another scenario is if the Giants are swept in their doubleheader at Coors Field on Saturday and the Diamondbacks lose to the Chicago Cubs, who are in the thick of the Wild Card race.
Once the Dodgers clinch the NL West, they also will secure a postseason berth for the 11th consecutive season.
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