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Dodgers' Postseason Hinges on L.A. Heat
1 Oct
Summary
- Dodgers await NLDS, focusing on weekend heat for game times.
- Shohei Ohtani's readiness is a key concern for the Dodgers.
- Pitching depth and bullpen performance remain potential Dodgers vulnerabilities.
Major League Baseball's postseason kicked off with Wild Card games, highlighting the Los Angeles Dodgers' commanding position. Having secured the National League's second-best record, the Dodgers earned a bye to the NLDS, set to begin on Saturday. Their current focus, as voiced by manager Dave Roberts, is the anticipated 100-degree heat in Los Angeles this weekend, with a preference for night games to mitigate the impact.
Questions surround key players like Shohei Ohtani, who experienced knee soreness in September but is reportedly ramping up for postseason play. The pitching rotation is expected to feature Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tarik Skubal, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow, with Snell and Glasnow showing positive trends. However, the bullpen remains a potential area of concern, with expectations for solid performances from Edwin Diaz, Roki Sasaki, and Justin Wrobleski.
The Dodgers will face the winner of the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves series. While they have expressed no preference, past struggles against Philadelphia might influence their unspoken hopes. The outcome of the San Diego Padres' series also indirectly impacts the Dodgers' schedule, potentially dictating early afternoon games in the heat if the Padres advance and have a later start time in their own potential NLDS matchup.
