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LOS ANGELES -- When the Dodgers arrived at Chase Field this weekend, everyone was going to learn a lot about the team, one way or another.

After winning three of four against the D-backs on the road, the Dodgers showed exactly why they should be the favorite to win the World Series. With that being said, let’s take a look at three takeaways from the series in the desert.

The three at the top will decide their fate

When the postseason rolls around, most people like to talk about the unsung heroes who step up in the biggest moments. The Dodgers have been the beneficiary of that in the past, but they’ve also been on the wrong side of it.

While the Dodgers have players more than capable of playing that role, the team’s playoff success will ultimately be decided by what Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman bring to the table.

Last October, Betts and Freeman didn’t show up offensively. The two former MVP Award winners combined for just one hit against the D-backs in the National League Division Series. If that happens again, the Dodgers will be in trouble.

But if the three superstars play up to their standards, the Dodgers showed how unstoppable the offense is when that happens. Ohtani hit a pair of homers in the four-game series with Arizona, and he was running all over the diamond, continuing his pursuit for a 50-50 season. Betts also came up big in key situations with runners in scoring position. And Freeman showed how easy he makes hitting look, being red-hot despite not playing in the three-game series against the Orioles with a hairline fracture in his right middle finger.

With those three leading the way, the rest of the Dodgers’ order was able to perform at their respective role. The D-backs had no answer for it. And neither would most teams.

“To come out here into their backyard and swing the bats like we did and really beat the starter, tax the 'pen, I thought we had a great offensive game plan throughout,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “And the big stars performed.”

Starting pitching remains a concern

The Dodgers’ starting pitching was a concern coming into the series, and it only got worse when Clayton Kershaw walked off the mound with an injury Friday night and was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday.

While the Dodgers expect Kershaw to return to make two or three more starts in the regular season, the starting rotation needs to show more down the stretch. Jack Flaherty has been the one consistent pitcher for the Dodgers since being acquired from the Tigers at the Trade Deadline. Gavin Stone, despite being a rookie, is also pitching his way into a major role in October.

Behind them, there are a lot of questions. Getting Yoshinobu Yamamoto back in a couple of weeks and maybe Tyler Glasnow before the end of the regular season would certainly help the Dodgers’ staff heading into the postseason. Getting a healthier Kershaw would also be another big boost.

The quality of arms is there for the Dodgers, now it’s just a matter of putting things together.

Best group of role players in a while

We talked about the top three players in the lineup already, and deservingly so, but something the Dodgers hope will be a big difference down the stretch is just how good this group of role players is.

The addition of Tommy Edman at the Deadline has proven to be a big one. His contact-first approach fits in perfectly with a lineup that mostly prioritizes power. Getting Max Muncy has lengthened the lineup. Teoscar Hernández continues to be the steal of the offseason and Will Smith is starting to show life again, coming through with a big three-run homer Friday.

Superstars have to play like superstars. That’s the key for every team. But the Dodgers have arguably their deepest position player group in years.