The Los Angeles Dodgers look to secure postseason rest by toppling the San Diego Padres or relying on an Atlanta Braves loss.
There are a couple of ways that the Los Angeles Dodgers can clinch a first-round bye prior to their final series of the year.
There's absolutely nothing to be scared about facing the San Francisco Giants, a team they swept less than a week ago, but anything can happen, and this team would love to have that first-round bye locked up as soon as possible.
In order for that to happen, the Dodgers either need to defeat the San Diego Padres on Thursday, Sept. 24, or have the Atlanta Braves lose to the Cincinnati Reds.
The best thing about it is the fact that the Braves play roughly three hours earlier than the Dodgers, so there's a very real possibility the Dodgers take the field against the Padres knowing whether or not their magic number is still one or if it has disappeared entirely.
Dodgers control their own fate
Even if the Braves were to win each of their final four games, all the Dodgers have to do is go 1-3 in order to secure a bye.
Now, becoming the No. 1 seed in the National League is a different story, and they'll need some help from the Milwaukee Brewers in order to get that done.
Remember, the Dodgers were a Wild Card team last season and still managed to win the World Series. They'll take every bye and home-field advantage they can get, but time and time again manager Dave Roberts and Co. have fought through adversity and gotten the job done no matter the circumstances.
Tyler Glasnow can secure Dodgers' bye
Tyler Glasnow picked up his first loss of the season on Saturday, Sept. 12, when he gave up four earned runs in four innings,
He had been 4-0 prior to that one, but thankfully, he got back on track with a stellar 10-strikeout performance in six innings of work against the Giants on Sept. 18.
Glasnow heads into the series finale against the Padres with a strong 5-1 record to go along with his 3.46 ERA and 0.96 WHIP.
This Dodgers team just welcomed back Shohei Ohtani, and they know that getting everyone ample rest heading into the playoffs is a huge priority, but it's also extremely important for them to get everyone enough reps before October.
Glasnow, 33, hasn't pitched against the Padres since Aug. 23, 2025, when he took a rare loss by giving up three earned runs in four innings.
