Entering this week, the Los Angeles Dodgers had won 14 of their last 17 games and clinched the National League West division title, securing a top-two seed in the National League playoffs. However, they faced a significant test against the San Diego Padres, which ended in a 4-2 loss on Thursday night at Chavez Ravine. This defeat raised concerns about the Dodgers' performance against playoff-bound teams, as they have struggled in such matchups this season.
The Dodgers had a favorable late-season schedule, not facing a contender for almost a month prior to the Padres series. Despite their recent success, the loss to the Padres highlighted a troubling trend for the two-time defending champions, who are 25-28 against teams with winning records this season. In the last two months, they have a record of just 2-14 against playoff contenders, including series losses to the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, and Atlanta Braves.
In the recent series against the Padres, the Dodgers managed to score only six runs over 25 innings, despite opportunities to capitalize with runners in scoring position, going 4-for-25 in those situations. The team's pitching, while solid, was undermined by defensive errors, particularly during a three-run seventh inning by the Padres. The Dodgers' offense, which had shown improvement, reverted to a less effective form, raising questions about their ability to compete in the postseason.
As the playoffs approach, the Dodgers will need to address these issues to avoid a potentially short October run.