The Dodgers’ sweep of the Rockies gave them some breathing room for a potential 12th National League West title in 13 years, but an uphill battle remains in trying to avoid playing in the wild card round.
Dodgers 82-64 (.562) – – –
Padres 79-67 (.541) 3 GB
This is where it gets tricky for the Dodgers, as the Phillies have won three straight themselves and remain four games up on the Dodgers for the No. 2 seed in the NL playoffs, which would secure a bye straight into the division series. Philadelphia won two of three games over the Dodgers in April, and next week’s series between the two teams at Dodger Stadium will go a long way toward figuring out which of them will secure the bye.
Even with a loss on Wednesday, the Giants have won 13 of their last 17 to pull within two games of the Mets for the final wild card spot. San Francisco faces an uphill climb toward October, and the Dodgers will have something to say about it considering the longtime rivals play seven times over the next 10 days beginning Friday at Oracle Park.
“I still stand by that it’s up to us how we play, regardless of opponents,” manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday. “You’ve got a division rival, a team that’s hungry and playing well. It’s going to be a battle up there for three nights.”
Current Dodgers scenario: No. 3 seed, hosting No. 6 seed Mets in wild card round at Dodger Stadium.
Up next: Dodgers at Giants, Padres vs. Rockies, Brewers vs. Cardinals, Phillies vs. Royals, Cubs vs. Rays, Mets vs. Rangers, Reds at A’s