With the Dodgers heading into a bye week before their postseason run begins on Saturday in the National League Division Series, MLB.com Dodgers beat reporter Juan Toribio held an Ask Me Anything on Reddit with Dodgers fans at r/dodgers. This mailbag features questions and answers from there. The full AMA can be read here.

What do you anticipate will be the starting rotation for the Dodgers in the NLDS?
This is a good question and I think some things could change. What we do know is that the Dodgers will probably go with Jack Flaherty for Game 1 and Yoshinobu Yamamoto for Game 2. The rest of the order could vary given how those first two games will go, but Walker Buehler and Landon Knack will also play a role. For the Knack start, the Dodgers could go with an opener in front of him. You saw the Dodgers do that in the regular-season finale with Anthony Banda. That will ultimately be decided by their opponent.

Have you heard anything about a change in offensive approach during the postseason? I remember Max Muncy made some comments about the Dodgers being too timid or over-selective at the plate last postseason, so is this something that the team is wary of this year?
I don't necessarily think the Dodgers will have a different approach heading into the postseason. I do think, however, that they've learned how opposing pitching staffs have pitched to them in the postseason compared to how they usually attack them in the regular season. At the end of the day, last year was a tough one for the Dodgers' offense. It's hard to hit when you fall behind 5-6 runs right away. If the Dodgers' pitching staff gives this offense enough time, they'll eventually make teams pay. That's what they'll be banking on this postseason.

• Postseason FAQ: What's next for Dodgers?

Who do you feel is the biggest X-factor on our team heading into the playoffs, as well as X-factors on the teams we'll face? Who are some big decisions for some of the final spots on the postseason roster?
While everyone loves the unexpected hero, I'm a believer that stars have to be stars in the postseason. Luckily for the Dodgers, they don't lack in that department and they're going to ride Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.

But if you are looking for an X-factor, Will Smith and Max Muncy are going to be key to the Dodgers' postseason run. It's no secret that Smith has had a tough second half at the plate, but his two-run homer off Joe Musgrove on Thursday was a perfect example of what he's capable of and how much the Dodgers will need him. Muncy also just adds a different dimension to the lineup with his ability to get hot and draw walks. Those two guys will be important. If they get going, along with the big three at the top, there aren't many pitchers who can navigate through that order.

Is there anything being done differently this year to try and avoid the "rust" (or whatever it is) that has plagued the Dodgers coming off the bye the last two years?
There's really not much you can do and the Dodgers have done something differently every year they've had the bye. They even tried to invite fans to their workouts last year, which obviously didn't make a difference. It's nearly impossible to replicate real games, especially postseason games.

Instead of trying to do something different on the field, the Dodgers are making their changes off the field. They'll be spending a lot of time together during the bye. Muncy, Smith and others organized a watch party for the Wild Card Series. They hope that continues to keep the team tight over the down time.

Depending on our current injuries and how things play out throughout the postseason, who do you think is most likely to return to pitch? That’s if anyone might even return.
Like you said, a lot of this will depend on how far this team goes. As for the NLDS, none of the injured pitchers will be on the active roster. Tony Gonsolin had a chance, but Dave Roberts said it would be "unlikely" for the right-hander to be on the roster. In the NLCS and beyond, things could change.

Clayton Kershaw is keeping his arm loose and said he'll be ready whenever his toe heals. How long that takes, though, is still a big mystery to everyone. Kershaw has also not pitched in a big league game in a month now, so how comfortable would the Dodgers feel throwing him back out there in a huge playoff game? That's something they'll have to answer if it gets to that point. Gavin Stone and Tyler Glasnow are both done for the season, regardless of what happens in October.

Right now, the Dodgers aren't counting on anyone to return, and that's probably for the best. You have to go with who you have available and go from there.