PHOENIX — The Los Angeles Dodgers, who are eagerly awaiting to see who they’ll be playing in the wild-card round beginning Tuesday, Sept. 30 at Dodger Stadium, have already identified their biggest obstacle without looking at a single page of their detailed scouting reports:
Simply, making sure their players keep a straight face when they take the field.
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Really.
It may sound silly, but the challenge may be bigger than you can imagine.
Come on, you really think the Dodgers can possibly take this upcoming best-of-three wild card series seriously?
Look at the two teams they may be facing, after a third one was eliminated Friday:
They are 37-54 since June 12, losing 13 of their 19 games in September, and dropping another one Friday night, 6-2, to the Miami Marlins.
“We put ourselves in this position,’’ Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters. “We’ve just to win the next two and see what happens, but we did it to ourselves.’’
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Andruw Monasterio of the Milwaukee Brewers is dunked with gatorade after a walk-off single in the 10th inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at American Family Field on Sept. 13, 2025, in Milwaukee. The win clinched a 2025 MLB postseason berth for the Brewers.
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Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Andruw Monasterio of the Milwaukee Brewers is dunked with gatorade after a walk-off single in the 10th inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at American Family Field on Sept. 13, 2025, in Milwaukee. The win clinched a 2025 MLB postseason berth for the Brewers.
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Brandon Marsh and Walker Buehler of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrate clinching the NL East division with a win over Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 15, 2025, in Los Angeles.
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David Robertson and Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrate clinching the NL East division with a win over Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 15, 2025, in Los Angeles.
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First baseman Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies celebrate after clinching the NL East division title at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sept. 15, 2025.
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Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber celebrates clinching the NL East division with a win over Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 15, 2025, in Los Angeles.
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Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with Harrison Bader after clinching the NL East division title after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-5 at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 15, 2025, in Los Angeles.
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Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong celebrates with teammates after defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates to secure a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs at PNC Park on Sept. 17, 2025.
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Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch celebrates with a victory cigar after defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates to secure a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Sept. 17, 2025.
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Outfielder Seiya Suzuki and manager Craig Counsell of the Chicago Cubs celebrate the team’s 8-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates to clinch a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs on Sept. 17, 2025, in Pittsburgh.
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Outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs poses for a photo as he celebrates the team clinching a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs on Sept. 17, 2025, after an 8-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
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Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell celebrates the team clinching a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs on Sept. 17, 2025, after an 8-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
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Justin Turner of the Chicago Cubs smokes a cigar to celebrate the team clinching a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs on Sept. 17, 2025, after an 8-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw waves to fans as he exits the game against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. The Dodgers clinched a postseason berth in the win over the Giants but honored Kershaw instead of celebrating.
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Sal Frelick of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates clinching the 2025 NL Central division title with a win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025, in St. Louis.
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Abner Uribe of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates clinching the 2025 NL Central division title with a win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025, in St. Louis.
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Sal Frelick of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates clinching the 2025 NL Central division title with a win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025, in St. Louis.
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A photo of former broadcaster Bob Uecker is displayed in the Milwaukee Brewers clubhouse after the Brewers clinched the 2025 NL Central division title with a win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025, in St. Louis.
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrate clinching a 2025 MLB playoffs berth at Kauffman Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri.
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Kevin Gausman and George Springer of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrate clinching a 2025 MLB playoffs berth at Kauffman Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri.
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Max Scherzer of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates with teammates after they clinched a 2025 MLB playoffs berth at Kauffman Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri.
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Toronto Blue Jays players celebrate with manager John Schneider in the locker room after clinching a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs with a win over the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025.
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Toronto Blue Jays players celebrate in the locker room after clinching a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs with a win over the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025.
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Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Trey Yesavage and teammates celebrate in the locker room after clinching a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs with a win over the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025.
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Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres celebrates after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers to clinch a berth in the 2025 MLB playoffs at Petco Park on Sept. 22, 2025, in San Diego.
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Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres celebrates after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers to clinch a berth in the 2025 MLB playoffs at Petco Park on Sept. 22, 2025, in San Diego.
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San Diego Padres first baseman Luis Arraez and catcher Freddy Fermin celebrate after the Padres clinched a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs by beating the Milwaukee Brewers at Petco Park in San Diego on Sept. 22, 2025.
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San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado and infielder Jose Iglesias celebrate after the Padres clinched a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs by beating the Milwaukee Brewers at Petco Park in San Diego on Sept. 22, 2025.
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San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt celebrates with players after the Padres clinched a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs by beating the Milwaukee Brewers at Petco Park in San Diego on Sept. 22, 2025.
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Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees celebrates in the locker room after clinching a 2025 MLB playoffs spot in a walk-off win against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 23, 2025, in New York.
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Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees celebrates with Jose Caballero in the locker room after clinching a 2025 MLB playoffs spot in a walk-off win against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 23, 2025, in New York.
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Jasson Dominguez of the New York Yankees celebrates in the locker room after clinching a 2025 MLB playoffs spot in a walk-off win against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 23, 2025, in New York.
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The New York Yankees celebrate in the locker room after clinching a 2025 MLB playoffs spot in a walk-off win against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 23, 2025, in New York.
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Randy Arozarena of the Seattle Mariners celebrates after beating the Colorado Rockies to clinch a 2025 MLB playoffs berth at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 23, 2025, in Seattle.
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Victor Robles of the Seattle Mariners celebrates after beating the Colorado Rockies to clinch a 2025 MLB playoffs berth at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 23, 2025, in Seattle.
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Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson celebrates after defeating the Colorado Rockies to clinch a 2025 MLB playoffs berth at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 23, 2025, in Seattle.
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J.P. Crawford of the Seattle Mariners smokes a cigar after beating the Colorado Rockies to clinch a 2025 MLB playoffs berth at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 23, 2025, in Seattle.
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Third baseman Eugenio Suarez, manager Dan Wilson and outfielder Julio Rodriguez of the Seattle Mariners celebrate after winning the AL West division title with a win over the Colorado Rockies at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Sept. 24, 2025.
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Julio Rodriguez and Victor Robles of the Seattle Mariners celebrate after winning the AL West division title with a win over the Colorado Rockies at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Sept. 24, 2025.
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The Seattle Mariners celebrate after winning the AL West division title with a win over the Colorado Rockies at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Sept. 24, 2025.
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Seattle Mariners outfielder Randy Arozarena douses catcher Cal Raleigh after winning the AL West division title with a win over the Colorado Rockies at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Sept. 24, 2025.
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Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts celebrates with his team after they won the NL West Division crown at Chase Field on Sept. 25, 2025.
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Shohei Ohtani celebrates with his Los Angeles Dodgers teammates after clinching the National League West title against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Sept. 25, 2025.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate their National League West championship after a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Sept. 25, 2025.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates in the locker room after winning the National League West title after a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Sept. 25, 2025.
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Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Hyeseong Kim of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate in the locker room after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-0 to clinch the NL West division title at Chase Field on Sept. 25, 2025 in Phoenix.
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Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates in the locker room after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-0 to clinch the NL West division title at Chase Field on Sept. 25, 2025 in Phoenix.
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Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates in the locker room after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-0 to clinch the NL West division title at Chase Field on Sept. 25, 2025 in Phoenix.
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Alex Call, Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate in the locker room after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-0 to clinch the NL West division title at Chase Field on Sept. 25, 2025 in Phoenix.
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The Boston Red Sox’s Ceddanne Rafaela celebrates clinching a playoff spot with teammates at Fenway Park on Sept. 26, 2025.
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The Boston Red Sox’s Ceddanne Rafaela celebrates clinching a playoff spot with teammates at Fenway Park on Sept. 26, 2025.
Yep, the same dudes who were just swept by the lowly Athletics in Sacramento two weeks ago, and dropped two of three at home to the Pittsburgh Pirates, who happen to have the second-worst road record in baseball. They also are in the driver’s seat after their 3-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers, moving into a tie with the Mets but owning the tie-breaker.
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“We’re like cockroaches man,’’ Reds infielder Gavin Lux said on the Reds’ broadcast afer the game. “You can’t kill us.’’
Eliminated: The Arizona Diamondbacks (80-80)
These guys should get a playoff share from the Seattle Mariners for helping them win the AL West while sinking their own chances. The D-backs were officially eliminated Friday after their 7-4 loss to the San Diego Padres, but they can’t help but wonder if they would have run away with the race if they didn’t gift-wrap third baseman Eugenio Suarez and first baseman Josh Naylor to Seattle, while dumping ace Merrill Kelly.
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“It was a series of games, a series of missed opportunities throughout the course of the year that put us in this situation,’’ Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo told reporters before the game, “and we have to accept that. We’ve got to own that. We’ve got to wear it.’’
Looking ahead
The Dodgers will publicly tell you they really don’t care who they’re facing, but if they had their druthers, surely they would prefer the Mets.
This is a team that not only has self-destructed, its pitching staff is also in tatters. The Mets had to rely on three rookies who were called up to make their major-league debuts this past month, and even if they happen to survive to Sunday, they have no idea who would even pitch Game 162, let alone in a playoff series.
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The Reds, meanwhile, led by future Hall of Fame manager Terry Francona, may have the fourth-worst offense in the National League – scoring three or fewer runs in their last five games – but they have an awfully talented starting rotation. If they make it, they are lined up to have ace Hunter Greene (7-4, 2.76 ERA) pitch in Game 1, Brady Singer (14-11, 3.95 ERA) in Game 2 and Nick Lodolo (9-8, 3.30 ERA) for a potential Game 3.
“I don’t think anyone would want to play us if we sneak in there, not with our pitching,’’ Lux told USA TODAY Sports last month. “We’re a young team with nothing to lose. We can match up with anyone.’’
Thanks to this mildest of wild-card races, it looks like we’re about to find out.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NL wild card race between Mets, Reds probably making Dodgers laugh