The Dodgers lost two out of three games against the National League East-leading Phillies this week, which all but ended the Los Angeles hopes for a bye into the NLDS.
The three seed is by far the most likely path for Los Angeles.
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NL West standings
Dodgers 85-67 (.559) – – –
Padres 83-69 (.546) 2 GB
The Dodgers own the tiebreaker over the Padres, with a magic number of eight to win the division.
National League playoff seeding
The Brewers clinched their postseason berth on September 13, and the Phillies won the NL East on Monday at Dodger Stadium. The battle now is at the top of the National League, for the No. 1 seed. The Cubs also clinched a playoff spot on Wednesday.
Diamondbacks 77-76 (.503)
Milwaukee only leads the Phillies by 2 1/2 games, with three more series to play, and the Brewers hold the tiebreaker by winning four of six games against Philadelphia. But this is really just a battle of seeding. Though not yet official, it’s becoming clear that the Brewers and Phillies will both get byes into the Division Series.
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The Dodgers need another win plus a loss by the Diamondbacks, or just two more wins, to clinch a postseason berth. Because Arizona is off on Thursday, the earliest Los Angeles can clinch a playoff spot is Friday.
The Diamondbacks won four straight to vault back into the periphery of contention before falling in extra innings to the Giants on Wednesday. Arizona plays both the Dodgers (at home) and Padres (on the road) next week, which could lead into a situation where the D-backs make life hell on two potential playoff teams then also possibly plays one of them in the wild card round.
Up next: Dodgers vs. Giants, Brewers at Cardinals, Phillies at D-backs, Cubs at Reds, Padres at White Sox, Mets vs. Nationals