Max Muncy warns that simulated games cannot replicate October’s high-stakes intensity as the Los Angeles Dodgers fight to overcome rust before Saturday.
Third baseman Max Muncy identified recreating the intensity of October baseball as the greatest challenge presented by a postseason bye before the National League Division Series begins.
The Los Angeles Dodgers secured the National League’s No. 2 seed after finishing 100-62.
That result gives them five days without a game before Saturday’s National League Division Series opener at Dodger Stadium against either the Philadelphia Phillies or Atlanta Braves.
Nothing like a postseason atmosphere
Los Angeles can organize live hitting practice and simulated games throughout the break, but Muncy believes those controlled environments cannot reproduce the emotional changes that occur during a postseason contest.
According to Dodgers Nation, Muncy explained that the Dodgers can create live at-bats and game situations, but even those exercises do not compare to a rehabilitation assignment or capture the pressure surrounding October baseball.
“The emotion of it, you can do live AB’s, you can do sim games. It’s not even like a rehab assignment, there’s no way of replicating the emotion of a postseason game,” Muncy said.
His concern reflects an issue Los Angeles has encountered before.
The Dodgers received first-round byes in 2022 and 2023 before losing in the National League Division Series to the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks, respectively.
Los Angeles changed how it managed the break in 2024. The team kept its players together for extended stretches and maintained a more structured routine before eventually winning the World Series.
The Dodgers did not receive a bye in 2025. They instead competed in the Wild Card round against the Cincinnati Reds before continuing their run toward another World Series.
With the bye returning in 2026, Muncy said Los Angeles is once again relying on the approach that worked during the 2024 postseason.
The concern carries additional importance because the Wild Card winner will arrive in Los Angeles after already experiencing the pressure of elimination games.
The Dodgers finished the regular season Sunday with a 5-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants in 10 innings, securing their 100th win.
Muncy completed the season hitting .252 with 29 home runs, 76 RBIs and an .837 OPS in 149 games.
Los Angeles can recreate the physical components of baseball before Saturday, but Muncy believes matching the postseason atmosphere its eventual opponent will have already experienced represents the more difficult assignment.
Muncy’s importance
Muncy’s ability to identify that challenge demonstrates the awareness he brings to the Dodgers. He understands that preparation involves more than taking swings, fielding ground balls and completing workouts.
His postseason experience allows him to recognize the difference between remaining physically active and being emotionally prepared for high-pressure situations. That perspective can help teammates approach the layoff with greater urgency.
Muncy also brings toughness, patience and confidence to the lineup. He can handle difficult stretches without losing his belief or changing the disciplined approach that makes him dangerous.
His willingness to address uncomfortable concerns reflects leadership.
Muncy is not dismissing the benefits of rest, but he understands the importance of maintaining competitive sharpness. That balance makes his voice valuable as the Dodgers prepare to return to postseason action.
