Dodgers News: After Winning NL West, What Else is There to Play For Over Final Two Games?
The Los Angeles Dodgers earned the division title after a 7-2 win over the San Diego Padres Thursday night. But one challenge remains. The Dodgers must win one more game than the Philadelphia Phillies to clinch the top seed in the National League. One win by the Dodgers or a loss by the Phillies would clinch home-field through the postseason.
Home-field advantage is everything in the postseason. Although the Dodgers have much to celebrate, there’s still one last job to be done before October.
There are two games left in the regular season. The Dodgers defeated the Colorado Rockies 11-4 Friday night but should go for the sweep Saturday and Sunday. Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Landon Knack are the scheduled starters to close out the season for the Dodgers.
The Phillies also play their final two games of the season on Saturday and Sunday against the Washington Nationals. Philadelphia’s games are certainly something to monitor as the weekend continues.
The NL Central champion Milwaukee Brewers have secured the No. 3 seed. The Brewers will host the wild-card team with the worst record.
The final weekend of the regular season has huge playoff implications. However, if the Dodgers were to lose in the NLDS, it wouldn’t matter whether it was at Dodger Stadium or on the road. Ultimately, home-field advantage is a trivial concern.
Winning every series in October is the main focus for the Dodgers, whether that is at home or away.
The Dodgers will end the season with a better record than every American League team, a testament to the resilience of the Los Angeles club. The New York Yankees currently have the best AL record at 93-67. But even if New York wins their next two games, they won’t surpass the Dodgers’ current record of 96 wins.
Beyond the regular season, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed the starting rotation for the NLDS will feature Jack Flaherty, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Walker Buehler, and Landon Knack. The order of each starter has yet to be confirmed.
The Dodgers postseason rotation is missing several anticipated starters including Tyler Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw, Bobby Miller, and Gavin Stone.
The latest injury occurred in the series finale against the San Diego Padres. Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman is expected to play in Game 1 of the NLDS, despite rolling his ankle Thursday.
One week remains until the postseason commences. It’s exciting. It’s nerve-wracking. It’s invigorating.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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