Happy Monday once again Dodger fans – the second to last Monday of the regular season. Next weekend the Wild Card round begins, and then the Los Angeles Dodgers will know who they will face in the Wild Card race.
In the different format that MLB has this year, the Wild Card round will be the best out of three instead of a one and done like previous seasons.
If the postseason were to start now, the Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres would battle it out to see who would play the Dodgers in the NLDS. While the Braves still have a very good pitching staff, it is worth noting they has to place Spencer Strider on the IL with an oblique injury. He looks to not be back until the NLCS, at this point.
Over the weekend , the Dodgers did secure home field advantage throughout the NL postseason. They currently have a five game lead over the Houston Astros for home field if they should make it to the World Series.
The Dodgers now have 106 wins, equaling their record number of wins, achieved just last season. With nine games left, it is assumed they will break that record.
Los Angeles just completed a three game series with the St. Louis Cardinals, taking three of four from the NL Central leaders. After an absolute clunker of a game on Friday, where Albert Pujols hit homers 699 and 700, and they lost 11-0, the Dodgers rebounded for two well pitched games in which they only allowed three runs total.
Some rookies shined over the weekend also. Miguel Vargas hit his first major league home run, and Andre Jackson recorded his first save, a three inning scoreless outing on Sunday.
Some of the pitching uncertainty has also started to shake itself out. Over the weekend, manager Dave Roberts said that Tyler Anderson would be the number three starter in the playoffs. This was expected as he is having a fantastic season, and there are bot any better options. Andrew Heaney, who has been oft injured this season, has been shaky as of late.
Tony Gonsolin will pitch two innings with Oklahoma City on Tuesday, and if all goes well could rejoin the Dodgers. The plan is to build him up to four innings for the playoffs, perhaps piggy backing with Heaney for a game.
Dustin May was placed on the 15-day IL on Saturday, and could be back for the NLDS. However his exact injury is unknown, as is his exact timetable for return.
On the bullpen side, it seems as if the Dodgers will navigate the postseason without Blake Treinen. He has not picked up a baseball since September 19th, after facing hitters and not feeling good afterwards. It does not look good for a return of Treinen this season.
On the flip side, Yency Almonte could return imminently. He finished his rehab assignment with Oklahoma City on Sunday, and could be activated on the 28th.
On Tuesday, the Dodgers will go on their final road trip of the regular season, a three game set with the Oadres. They then will close out the season with six games at home against the Colorado Rockies.