PHOENIX -- En route to 100 wins during the regular season, the Dodgers won three consecutive games in a series eight times in 2023. If they want their season to continue past the National League Division Series, they’re going to have to find a way to do it for a ninth time.

Through two games, the D-backs have been the better team in the series. Arizona has jumped on Los Angeles early, outscoring the Dodgers 9-0 in the first inning alone.

The Dodgers haven’t been able to get the big hit. They’ve been left searching for answers as they worked out at Chase Field ahead of a must-win Game 3.

But as poorly as the Dodgers have played in this series, they still have life. They’re more than capable of putting together three wins, but now they have no room for error. One more loss and their season ends in the Division Series for the third time in five seasons.

“We’ve won three games in a row. We’re very familiar with this ballclub,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “They’re playing good baseball, and we’ve got to find a way to flip the script.”

Betts and Freeman need to lead the way
In the postseason, we often see unsung heroes lead the way for teams. The Dodgers experienced that firsthand in 2021 as they watched Atlanta’s Eddie Rosario turn into the hottest hitter on the planet. But in the end, teams need their superstars to step up in October.

Through two games, the Dodgers’ two superstars, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, are a combined 1-for-13 with zero extra-base hits. Betts and Freeman found themselves at the plate in big spots in Game 2, and both came up empty. The Dodgers could hope and pray that someone toward the bottom of the order catches fire. But their best chance at winning this series and moving forward is for Betts and Freeman to show why they’re two of the best players in the Majors.

“We had a couple opportunities and we just didn’t cash it in,” Betts said. “For me and Freddie, that’s kind of our role, and we’re not doing it. I take ownership in that. We just have to figure out a way, man. There are no excuses.”

Pitchers need to limit the damage early
The D-backs are a young team, which means they thrive on momentum. So far, the Dodgers’ pitching staff has done nothing to slow that down early in games.

Clayton Kershaw got one out and allowed six runs in Game 1. Bobby Miller wasn’t much better, recording five outs and allowing three runs in Game 2. Combined, the Dodgers have recorded six outs from their starters through two games.

Lance Lynn will get the ball in Game 3, and the veteran right-hander needs to make sure he doesn’t suffer the same fate. If the Dodgers fall behind by multiple runs early, it might be tough to slow down a D-backs team that smells blood. But if Lynn can keep Arizona off the board, the Dodgers should ultimately have a chance to land a punch of their own.

With Roberts likely being aggressive with the use of his bullpen, the starters need to make sure it doesn’t get out of hand early.

Does Kershaw have another vintage performance left in him?
The Dodgers need to win Game 3 and avoid the sweep or this one won’t matter. But since we’re looking at keys to win the series, they’re going to need Kershaw to have a bounce-back start in Game 4.

Of course, the question is: Can he do it?

Kershaw has continuously said that he’s completely healthy. His dip in velocity, and the Dodgers’ plan to protect him from a heavy workload, have said otherwise. In Game 1, it was clear that Kershaw didn’t have much control, particularly of the slider that has made him one of the best pitchers of all time.

If there’s one pitcher the Dodgers trust to deliver, it’s Kershaw. It’s what he’s done for this organization for more than a decade. If the likely first-ballot Hall of Famer doesn’t have at least three solid innings left in him, it’ll be difficult for the Dodgers to become the 11th team ever to come back after falling behind 0-2 in a best-of-five series.

“What I do know is, for us to accomplish what we want this year, we’re going to need Clayton Kershaw to start baseball games,” Roberts said. “I’ve got all the confidence in the world that he can do that, and he’s going to be just fine.”