Dodgers' path to the top begins with No. 2 seed

DENVER -- As the regular season winds down, the Dodgers have their sights set on what they hope is another deep run in the postseason. Los Angeles has had a tremendous 2023 season, but knows its campaign will ultimately be decided by what happens next month.

On Wednesday, the Dodgers got a little bit more clarity of what their path will look like in October. The Dodgers beat the Rockies, 8-2, on Wednesday at Coors Field, but are now officially locked in to the No. 2 seed in the National League following the Braves’ walk-off win over the Cubs in Atlanta.

• Games remaining (4): at COL (1), at SF (3)
• Standings update: The Dodgers (98-60), who clinched the NL West title on Sept. 16, clinched a bye in the NL Wild Card round on Saturday. On Sept. 27, the Dodgers locked in the No. 2 seed in the NL postseason.

“I do know we’re locked in the No. 2 seed, we’re gonna open the Division Series at home next Saturday,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “We don’t know who we’re playing, but I just want us to play good baseball.”

Coming into the last week of the regular season, the Dodgers knew they were going to need a perfect week in order to have a chance at the top seed in the postseason. They needed to win every game, and the Braves would have had to implode.

Though the Dodgers got as close as 2 1/2 games behind the Braves this month, it was always unlikely they would catch Atlanta. Now it’s official. The Dodgers will get a first-round bye during the Wild Card Series, an advantage they also held last October. By locking in the No. 2 seed, the Dodgers now know they will play the winner between the Brewers, who won the NL Central on Tuesday, and the No. 6 seed.

The No. 6 seed likely won’t be decided until the last day of the regular season. The Marlins and Cubs are tied for the last spot. The D-backs appear headed for the No. 5 seed, but they’re still in play. Cincinnati is now a longshot after losing again in Cleveland. Whoever secures the sixth seed would travel to Milwaukee for a three-game set. The winner heads to Dodger Stadium.

“It changes every night, it seems like,” Roberts laughed. “I think as a baseball game it’s great to go down to the wire.”

For the Dodgers, the No. 2 seed isn’t a concern. They could still host the NLCS if the Braves go down in the NLDS. If both the Braves and Dodgers get through the NLDS, Game 1 of the NLCS would be at Truist Park in Atlanta. The Dodgers won two of three there earlier this season.

On Wednesday, the Dodgers rode the arm of rookie right-hander Emmet Sheehan, who struck out a career-high 10 batters over six strong innings.

Sheehan became the third consecutive rookie to set a career high in punchouts at Coors Field, joining Ryan Pepiot and Bobby Miller, who both set new personal marks during Tuesday’s split doubleheader.

“It can be daunting as a young pitcher coming to this place,” said Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman. “A little bloop could turn into a double, big innings can happen real fast. But to see what Bobby, Mike and Emmet have done the last couple of days is very, very impressive.”

For Sheehan, he continues to make a case for himself to have an increased role during the postseason. It’s unlikely that he’ll start games, but he could serve as a piggyback or an important multi-inning reliever.

Offensively, the Dodgers wore down the Rockies’ pitching staff, recording 12 hits. Freeman delivered the dagger with a three-run shot that put the Dodgers ahead by six runs. Freeman joined Mookie Betts and Max Muncy with 100 RBIs this season. It’s the first time the Dodgers have had three players with 100-plus RBIs since moving to Los Angeles in 1958.

It’s a consistent attack that the Dodgers believe will carry them deep into October, regardless of their seed.