With the calendar turning to September, the Los Angeles Dodgers remain on track of reaching the playoffs for the 13th consecutive season.
They entered play Tuesday at 78-59, which is 2.5 games ahead of the San Diego Padres for the best record in the National League West.
The Dodgers at one point held a nine-game lead in the division, but injuries and several key players underperforming have allowed the Padres to close the gap a bit.
Even with their uneven play since the All-Star break, the Dodgers are still in position to win the NL West for the 12th time in 13 seasons.
In the event that they fall short, L.A. could still earn one of the three Wild Card spots to get into the playoffs. That happened during the 2021 season, when the Dodgers finished second to the San Francisco Giants and wound up eliminating them in the NL Division Series.
The Dodgers are also chasing one of the top-two records in the NL, which would give them a bye through the Wild Card round if they can secure it.
They trail the Philadelphia Phillies by 1.5 games for that final first-round bye. The Chicago Cubs are also ahead of the Dodgers, but they share the same division as the NL-leading Milwaukee Brewers, who have a six-game lead over L.A. for the best record.
The Dodgers are looking to become the first team to repeat as World Series champions since the 1998-2000 New York Yankees.
Game 1: Tuesday, Sept. 30 (ESPN platforms)
Game 2: Wednesday, Oct. 1 (ESPN platforms)
Game 3*: Thursday, Oct. 2 (ESPN platforms)
The Dodgers would only play in the Wild Card Series if they fail to secure one of the top two seeds in the NL. They last took part in the Wild Card round during the 2021 season, under the previous win-or-go-home format.
Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 4 (TBS/truTV/HBO Max)
Game 2: Monday, Oct. 6 (TBS/truTV/HBO Max)
Game 3: Wednesday, Oct. 8 (TBS/truTV/HBO Max)
Game 4*: Thursday, Oct. 9 (TBS/truTV/HBO Max)
Game 5*: Saturday, Oct. 11 (TBS/truTV/HBO Max)
The Dodgers would automatically advance to the NLDS if they finish as one of the top two seeds. Otherwise, they would have to win the best-of-three Wild Card Series to get there.
Game 1: Monday, Oct. 13 (TBS/truTV/HBO Max)
Game 2: Tuesday, Oct. 14 (TBS/truTV/HBO Max)
Game 3: Thursday, Oct. 16 (TBS/truTV/HBO Max)
Game 4: Friday, Oct. 17 (TBS/truTV/HBO Max)
Game 5*: Saturday, Oct. 18 (TBS/truTV/HBO Max)
Game 6*: Monday, Oct. 20 (TBS/truTV/HBO Max)
Game 7*: Tuesday, Oct. 21 (TBS/truTV/HBO Max)
The Dodgers would advance to the NL Championship Series by winning the best-of-five NLDS. L.A. has advanced to the NLCS six times since the 2013 season, winning four of those matchups.
Game 1: Friday, Oct. 24 (Fox/Fox Deportes)
Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 25 (Fox/Fox Deportes)
Game 3: Monday, Oct. 27 (Fox/Fox Deportes)
Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 28 (Fox/Fox Deportes)
Game 5*: Wednesday, Oct. 29 (Fox/Fox Deportes)
Game 6*: Friday, Oct. 31 (Fox/Fox Deportes)
Game 7*: Saturday, Nov. 1 (Fox/Fox Deportes)
The Dodgers would advance to the World Series by winning the best-of-seven NLCS. L.A. is looking to get back to the Fall Classic for the fifth time since 2017.
*If necessary
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