Dodgers’ Playoff Hopes Dented by Padres Despite Strong Season Finish
WHO:
MLB.com - Los Angeles Dodgers, President Trump, Freddie Freeman, Shohei Ohtani, Andy Pages, Dalton Rushing, Josue De Paula, Andrew Friedman, Dave Roberts
NY Post - Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres
WHAT:
MLB.com - The Dodgers will enter the postseason as the No. 2 seed in the National League, behind No. 1 Milwaukee (100-59).
MLB.com - The Dodgers are trailing the Brewers by 2 1/2 games with four games left to play in the regular season.
MLB.com - The Dodgers went 8-5 against San Diego in the season series but lost two of the final three regular-season games against the Padres.
MLB.com - Dalton Rushing is expected to get three pinch-hit appearances at most during the final weekend of the regular season.
MLB.com - Rushing hit .249 with a .798 OPS and 12 homers in the season.
MLB.com - Josue De Paula hit 10-for-31 (.323) and reached base at a .500 clip in his brief time in the big leagues.
MLB.com - The Dodgers plan to carry 14 position players and 12 pitchers in the best-of-five NL Division Series.
MLB.com - The Dodgers secured a first-round bye in the postseason by clinching one of the top two records in the National League.
MLB.com - The Dodgers finished the regular season with a record of 97-62 and will enter the postseason as the No. 2 seed in the National League.
MLB.com - The Dodgers lost 4-2 to the Padres in a game that could be a postseason preview.
MLB.com - The Dodgers will play the winner of the NL Wild Card Series hosted by the NL East-champion Braves.
MLB.com - The Dodgers need to win 11 postseason games to achieve a three-peat, which would be the first in the Majors since the 1998-2000 Yankees.
MLB.com - Dalton Rushing is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list for the final weekend of the regular season.
MLB.com - Rushing has taken just eight plate appearances since the beginning of August due to a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.
MLB.com - Josue De Paula has a batting average of .323 and a .500 on-base percentage in 42 plate appearances.
MLB.com - The Dodgers plan to carry 14 position players and 12 pitchers in the best-of-five NL Division Series.
WHERE:
MLB.com - The game against the Padres took place in Los Angeles.
MLB.com - The Dodgers will play their NL Division Series at home.
WHEN:
MLB.com - The NL Division Series begins on Oct. 3.
MLB.com - The Dodgers have four games left to play in the regular season.
WHY:
MLB.com - The Dodgers clinched a first-round bye due to the Braves losing to the Reds.
MLB.com - The bye is important for the Dodgers as several players are dealing with lingering injuries.
HOW:
MLB.com - The Dodgers secured their postseason position by achieving one of the top two records in the National League.
(UPDATED September 25, 2026 07:59 UTC)
The Dodgers will enter the postseason as the No. 2 seed in the National League, trailing the Milwaukee Brewers by two and a half games with just four regular-season games remaining. Despite going eight wins to five losses against the San Diego Padres this season, the Dodgers lost two of their last three matchups against them. As they prepare for the best-of-five NL Division Series, the team plans to carry 14 position players and 12 pitchers, with Dalton Rushing expected to make a few pinch-hit appearances after finishing the season with a .249 batting average and 12 home runs.
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(UPDATED September 25, 2026 07:08 UTC)
The Los Angeles Dodgers have clinched a first-round bye in the postseason, finishing the regular season with an impressive record of 97 wins and 62 losses, which places them as the No. 2 seed in the National League. They recently faced the San Diego Padres in a game that ended with a score of 4 to 2, a potential preview of their upcoming postseason matchup, as they prepare to play the winner of the NL Wild Card Series hosted by the Braves starting on October 3. Additionally, Dalton Rushing is expected to return from the injured list just in time for the final weekend of the regular season, which is crucial as the Dodgers aim for a three-peat by winning 11 postseason games.