The Los Angeles Dodgers' path to the World Series will not be easy if they cannot secure a bye in the Wild Card round.
The Milwaukee Brewers own the season series over the Dodgers and look to be running away with the top seed in the National League. The Atlanta Braves hold the season series over the Dodgers and if the postseason started today, they would have a bye.
The Dodgers don't need a bye to win the World Series, as they proved last year. However, the Dodgers had the benefit of facing a very weak Cincinnati Reds team in the wild card last year. There is no real time like that in the wild card this year. Assuming the Braves do not lose the No. 2 seed or the division to the Philadelphia Phillies, the Dodgers' path to the World Series as a No. 3 seed would be as follows based on likeliest standings:
- Wild card: Arizona Diamondbacks
- Division Series: Braves
- Championship Series: Brewers, Chicago Cubs or Philadelphia Phillies
The Diamondbacks are currently favorites to be the final wild card team, edging out the San Diego Padres. That might actually work out better for the Dodgers, considering the Padres always play the Dodgers tough. The Diamondbacks are no joke, however. Eduardo Rodríguez was an All-Star this year and has allowed just five runs in five starts against the Dodgers. Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes could also be back by then.
Offensively, the Diamondbacks have some stars and are more than capable of winning a short series. They have scored the sixth most runs in baseball since the All-Star Break. After that, the Braves present a real threat, especially after sweeping the Dodgers last month.
If the standings are any indication, should the Dodgers reach the National League Championship Series, they will likely see the Brewers. The Dodgers swept the Brewers in the postseason last year, but this Brewers team is much better. They have the projected Cy Young Award winner. They also have young star pitchers Kyle Harrison and Logan Henderson. Their pitching is much better, and their offense has had no problem scoring runs this year.
The biggest concern for the Dodgers is not who they play but rather how they play. Their offense scored the sixth-fewest runs in baseball in August, and if that does not change, they will not even get a chance to see the Brewers.