LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers are in the postseason for the ninth consecutive year, but this time, their path to the World Series looks a little different.

Despite tying a franchise record with 106 wins this season, the Dodgers finished second in the National League West, one game behind the Giants, who set a franchise record of their own with 107 wins. San Francisco’s historic season ended Los Angeles’ eight-year reign atop the division.

Because of that, the Dodgers’ season will now come down to a one-game Wild Card on Wednesday against the Cardinals. It’s the first time Los Angeles is playing in this game since it was introduced in 2012.

But while the Dodgers will have to play one more game than anybody expected, their goals haven’t changed. They still feel confident that they have enough talent to be the first team to repeat as champions since the Yankees won three straight from 1998-2000.

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“We’re playing really good baseball,” said Dodgers second baseman Trea Turner. “We’re gonna have to face another good team that’s been playing well. You know, this time of the year in the postseason you’re going to be playing good teams, so we have to execute. One game winner-take-all -- it’s going to be fun.”

How do they advance out of the Wild Card Game?
Well, the Dodgers will have three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer on the mound on Wednesday. That’s a good start.

Since arriving in Los Angeles, Scherzer has been even better than advertised. He was nearly untouchable in his first nine starts with the club, posting a 0.78 ERA with 79 strikeouts over 58 innings. It was one of the greatest nine-game stretches in franchise history.

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Scherzer’s 10th and 11th starts, however, weren't as sharp. He allowed five earned runs in his each of his past two outings. It’s the first time since 2016 that Scherzer has allowed five earned runs or more in back-to-back games.

Those recent struggles don’t make the Dodgers any less confident that Scherzer will go on the mound and show exactly why Los Angeles traded its top two prospects to acquire him and Turner from the Nationals. The Dodgers have won all 11 of Scherzer’s starts.

“We feel very good with Max taking the mound,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “He’s an easy guy to bet on.”

What does the blueprint for a championship run look like?
While the Dodgers have some issues to patch up before the start of the postseason, there’s no denying that, top to bottom, they have the most talented roster in the Majors. They hope the overload of talent becomes suffocating during a postseason series.

Usually, the teams that play in the one-game Wild Card are at a disadvantage heading into the NL Division Series. They’ve burned their best pitcher and have to piece together the start of the five-game series.

The Dodgers, on the other hand, would trot out two pitchers in Walker Buehler and Julio Urías, who are going to be in the discussion for the NL Cy Young Award. Scherzer would then be available to pitch Game 3. That pitching depth is why Los Angeles remains so confident despite entering the postseason as a Wild Card team.

That depth extends to the bullpen, which is one of the best in baseball. Kenley Jansen and Blake Treinen were among the best 1-2 punches this season, and that should continue in the playoffs. Alex Vesia, Phil Bickford and Corey Knebel also posted solid numbers this year, adding even more depth for a long series.

The Dodgers also have plenty of firepower in their lineup. Turner and Corey Seager are two of the hottest hitters in baseball. Mookie Betts always seems to step it up in October. However, Max Muncy -- who sustained a left elbow injury on Sunday -- will be nearly impossible to replace.

Los Angeles won 106 games with its current form. It's hoping it has 12 more wins left in the tank.

What is one reason for concern?
Health.

For a couple of weeks, the Dodgers enjoyed having all their top players healthy at the same time. But over the past few days, that changed in a hurry.

Clayton Kershaw will be sidelined for all of the playoffs after suffering his second left elbow injury of the season. Muncy, who leads the team in home runs, went down with a left elbow injury of his own after a collision at first base.

Not having Kershaw certainly alters the Dodgers’ plans. They’re going to need Urías to serve as the third option behind Buehler and Scherzer. Urías, who led MLB in wins with 20, is certainly capable, but Los Angeles was hoping to keep the left-hander in a similar role as last postseason, when he started some games but was also available out of the bullpen. Kershaw's injury will also likely require Tony Gonsolin to make a few starts along the way.

Muncy’s injury also creates some issues. He is the team’s most patient at-bat and has sat in the middle of the order all season long. He’s also a very solid first baseman. In his absence, the Dodgers will have to piece things together. Albert Pujols, Matt Beaty and Cody Bellinger could all be options at first, but they would all be downgrades offensively.