The Los Angeles Dodgers’ pursuit of a third straight championship begins on Saturday, and if you’re looking to jump in on the postseason fun, Dodgers Nation has you covered.
We watched all 162 games, so even if the playoffs are your first time watching baseball this season, Dodgers Nation has you covered.
Here’s what you need to know to sound like a die-hard at the watch party.
What was the story of the Dodgers in 2026?
What’s the topic: Injuries.
What you need to know: From Mookie Betts’ strained oblique at the beginning of the year to Shohei Ohtani’s recent struggles with knee and arm pain, some of the Dodgers’ biggest stars have been hampered this season.
Ohtani in particular is a concern, as the multi-time MVP hasn’t been playing like himself in recent weeks.
From Aug. 18 to the end of the season, Ohtani played in 19 games, hitting .160/.284/.253/.537 with two doubles, a triple and a homer, per Baseball Reference.
He’s also scored eight runs, knocked in three more and stolen four bases.
All of those figures are far lower than Ohtani’s typical output, but one statistic is up significantly: strikeouts.
Ohtani has struck out 30 times in his 75 at-bats, a 40% strikeout rate.
How to fake it: Anytime Ohtani gets out, say something like “The injury is still affecting him” and shake your head sadly. Bonus points if you imply that it’s because he tried to be a full-time pitcher and full-time hitter this year.
What are the names I need to know?
What’s the topic: Under-the-radar players
What you need to know: Many of the names you probably already know: Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Freddie Freeman.
But if you really want to impress someone, look into players like Josue De Paula. The talented youngster came up right at the end of the big league season and was on a tear.
He stands a good chance of being on the postseason roster, and if he continues his hot hitting, you’ll look like a genius for mentioning him pregame.
How to fake it: If De Paula makes the roster, talk about how much energy he brings to the team. If he doesn’t make the cut, blame every stranded runner on De Paula not being there to spark the bats.
Speaking of…
What is the Dodgers biggest weakness?
What’s the topic: Stranding runners
What you need to know: When the Dodgers have played poorly this season, it’s almost always involved stranding baserunners.
Overall, the team performs well with runners in scoring position, with Baseball Reference putting the Dodgers as the third-best in MLB.
Team Rankings, though, puts the Dodgers as fourth-worst in stranding runners, with an average of 7.19 runners left on base per game.
In those losses, though, it’s often where the Dodgers struggle most, and as any die-hard fan will tell you, leaving a runner stranded on third when you’re losing is a special form of torture.
How to fake it: This one is pretty simple. Just look for the Dodgers to leave a runner stranded and loudly explain how you can’t believe it happened again.
What else would you tell a bandwagon fan about the Dodgers ahead of the playoffs?
