The final week of the 2024 MLB season is here, but the National League West division race has still yet to be settled between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres.
The Arizona Diamondbacks were eliminated from winning the division with the Dodgers’ win on Sunday as the best they could do is finished tied with L.A. The Dodgers hold the tiebreaker over the D-Backs due to them winning seven of their 13 matchups this season.
The Dodgers enter the week sitting three games ahead of the Padres in the division standings with the most important series of the year coming up for both teams. Both the Dodgers and Padres are in control of their own destiny, making it an all the more intriguing week.
Dodgers Magic Number to Clinch NL West
The Dodgers have an off day on Monday before facing the Padres for three games at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers’ magic number to win the NL West is four, so two victories over the Padres in the series would clinch the division title, which could happen as early as Wednesday.
Following that matchup, the Dodgers head to Colorado for three games against the Rockies. Depending on how the series with San Diego goes, the final three games of the year could end up determining the NL West.
Dodgers' Path to Playoffs
The good news for the Dodgers is even if they are swept by the Padres, they could still win the NL West, they would just need some help to do it. Any combination of Dodgers’ wins and Padres’ losses that equal four over the next six games would lead to L.A. clinching the division once again.
Monday is an off day for the Padres as well before they of course heading to Dodger Stadium with a chance to leave in first place. They hold the tiebreaker over the Dodgers regardless of the series outcome, so if they win their final six games, the Padres would win the division, regardless of what the Dodgers do against the Rockies to end the season.
Padres' Path to Playoffs
They finish their season against the Diamondbacks, a club fighting for their playoff hopes against the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves. If the Padres win all three games against the Dodgers, L.A. would need help from Arizona to win the division title, while also taking care of the Rockies.
If the Padres win two of three against the Dodgers, they would enter the weekend trailing the Dodgers by one game and would need some help from the Rockies to win the division, while they would also have to defeat the Diamondbacks in their matchups.
The Padres just need to finish tied with the Dodgers record-wise to win the division due to the tiebreaker while the Dodgers need to finish one win ahead.
Diamondbacks in the Wild Card
The Diamondbacks begin play on Monday against the San Francisco Giants for a three-game set before an off day on Thursday. The D-Backs are tied with the Mets for the second Wild Card spot and sit just two games ahead of the Atlanta Braves for the final Wild Card spot.
The Braves hold the tiebreaker over the Diamondbacks, so they have a magic number of five over the Braves. That puts the D-Backs in must-win territory for each game.
However, the Braves and Mets begin a three-game series on Monday that should go a long way in determining the playoff bracket.
Dodgers' Postseason Hopes Hinges on Wins
The Los Angeles Dodgers are on the verge of securing their 12th consecutive postseason berth and a chance for a third straight NL West title. With a magic number of 10 to clinch the division, they must improve their record against division rivals and navigate the final stretch of the regular season. Dodgers president Andrew Friedman emphasizes the importance of winning the division as part of their ultimate goal: the World Series. As of September 15, the Dodgers are 88-61, leading the NL West but facing stiff competition from the Padres and D-backs.
The Dodgers need to capitalize on remaining games to solidify their division lead. Success against direct rivals like the Padres and D-backs will be crucial for maintaining their playoff position. Stakeholders will be watching closely as outcomes in these matchups will significantly impact playoff seeding. With competitive division standings, every game counts for both playoff qualification and securing home-field advantage.
Final Thoughts on the NL West Race
As the regular season winds down, the Dodgers must focus on securing their place in the postseason by winning essential matchups. Their ability to clinch the division and obtain a favorable playoff berth hinges on navigating a challenging final schedule. The urgency to perform in these upcoming games could shape their World Series aspirations, highlighting the need for strategic excellence in this critical phase.
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