The Los Angeles Dodgers have earned themselves a much-needed first-round bye in the MLB postseason, conveyed when the NL East champion Atlanta Braves lost 7-6 to the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday.
It could not have worked out better for the Dodgers, who continue to get key players back as they turn their attention to the postseason and a run at a third consecutive World Series championship.
Shohei Ohtani was cleared to play against the Padres on Wednesday after previously being on the 15-day injured list with pain in his left knee and right bicep. Dalton Rushing is close to coming back as well.
The Dodgers close their season with a series against the rival San Francisco Giants. It's a good opportunity to get their guys some conditioning as they face
a Giants team that's playing out the string.
More importantly, the Dodgers can look forward to rest before the start of the playoffs as they attempt to become the first MLB team to three-peat since the New York Yankees (1998-2000). Here's who could stand in the Dodgers' way:
MLB Playoff Bracketology
The Dodgers have claimed the last bye spot in the NL playoffs. Their place in the MLB playoff picture is nearly solidified, unless they are able to overtake Milwaukee for the top seed in the NL. Regardless if that happens or not, Los Angeles gets to sit back, wait and see who its NL Divisional Round opponent is going to be.
The playoff picture as of Sept. 24:
National League
#-division champion; *clinched at least a wild card spot
- Byes: Milwaukee Brewers# (1), Los Angeles Dodgers# (2)
- Wild card series:
- Phillies (6) at Braves# (3) – Winner vs. Dodgers
- Cubs* (5) at Padres (4) – Winner vs. Brewers
Who will be Dodgers' NLDS opponent?
Los Angeles has a first-round bye and will likely settle into the No. 2 seed. If they stick there, that means the Dodgers would face the winner of the wild card series between the Atlanta Braves (NL East champions) and No. 6 seed (currently the Philadelphia Phillies).
The Braves have had the Dodgers' number all season long, having won five of their six regular-season meetings, including a walk-off to clinch the season series and tiebreaker.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dodgers lock up NL bye as playoff picture comes into focus
