Introduction to the Final Stretch
The final two weeks of the regular season have arrived, and the Dodgers are gearing up to face their rivals. The team is used to taking on challengers down the pennant stretch, including the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres. This year, however, their focus shifts to the Philadelphia Phillies, a team that could significantly impact their postseason chances.
The Importance of the Upcoming Series
The Dodgers have one remaining head-to-head matchup that really matters, and that series starts against the Philadelphia Phillies. Although the Phillies have not been realigned into the NL West, they are currently leading the Dodgers by 4 ½ games. The Dodgers have 13 games to play, and their performance in these games will be crucial in determining their postseason fate.
Postseason Implications
The Milwaukee Brewers, the presumed champions of the NL Central, boast the best record in baseball. The Phillies, as the presumed champions of the NL East, are in a strong position to earn a bye into the division series. The Dodgers, on the other hand, are at risk of being the division champion with the third-best record, which would force them to play in the first round. According to Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations, it is better for their World Series odds to not play those three games and instead have a bye.
The Bye and Its Consequences
The five days off that come with a bye can disrupt the timing of hitters but also allow time for injured and weary players to recover. This could be particularly beneficial for Dodgers catcher Will Smith. Additionally, a bye enables the Dodgers to arrange their starting rotation as they see fit. Friedman believes that despite making their life more difficult to this point, the Dodgers still have a good run in them and will make it competitive.
What If the Series Against the Phillies Goes Poorly?
Even if the series against the Phillies does not go in the Dodgers’ favor, the team might not win the division. The Padres are closer to the Dodgers than the Dodgers are to the Phillies, trailing by only 2½ games in the NL West. If the Padres win the NL West, it might not significantly hurt the Dodgers’ chances of a lengthy postseason run, as both teams would likely end up in the wild-card round.
The NL West Championship and Its Impact
The NL West champion would play the last team into the NL field, possibly the Giants or New York Mets, with the chance that the opponent exhausted its pitching just to get into the playoffs. The other team would play the Chicago Cubs and avoid the possibility of facing the surging Phillies until the NLCS. The decisive factor in the Dodgers’ calculus, should the NL West come down to the last day or two, might be whether to use their best starters on that final weekend or line them up for the wild-card series.
Home Advantage
The NL West champion would play all three games of the wild-card round at home, while the runner-up would likely play all three games on the road. The Dodgers are 48-26 at home, which could be a significant advantage. There is precedent for the Dodgers not minding if the Padres won the NL West, as seen in 1996 when the Dodgers and Padres were tied for the NL West lead heading into the final day of the regular season.
Performance Projections
The Dodgers are on pace to win 91 games. In Andrew Friedman’s previous 10 seasons running the Dodgers, the fewest number of games they have won is also 91, which occurred in 2016. That year, the Dodgers earned a bye into the division series, beat the Washington Nationals, but lost to the Chicago Cubs in the league championship series.
Conclusion
The final two weeks of the regular season are critical for the Dodgers, with their series against the Phillies being a pivotal moment. The team’s performance will determine their postseason fate, including whether they earn a bye or have to play in the first round. With the Padres close behind in the NL West, the Dodgers must strategize carefully to maximize their chances of a lengthy postseason run.
FAQs
- Q: How many games do the Dodgers have left to play in the regular season?
- A: The Dodgers have 13 games left to play.
- Q: What is the significance of the series against the Philadelphia Phillies?
- A: The series against the Phillies is crucial because it could impact the Dodgers’ chances of earning a bye into the division series.
- Q: What would happen if the Padres win the NL West?
- A: If the Padres win the NL West, the Dodgers would likely play in the wild-card round, possibly against the Chicago Cubs.
- Q: How important is home advantage for the Dodgers?
- A: Home advantage is significant for the Dodgers, as they are 48-26 at home and would play all three games of the wild-card round at home if they win the NL West.
