Dodgers table: Magic number needed to secure division and playoff spot

The Dodgers have already secured their 12th straight postseason berth and have a chance at a third straight National League West title and 11th division title in the last 12 years. Here's what they need in the final days of the regular season to secure several things, including qualification and a playoff berth.

“I see this in two parts. One part is the goal of the regular season, which is to win the division and put ourselves in the best position to achieve our ultimate goal,” said Andrew Friedman, Dodgers president of baseball operations, during the SportsNet LA broadcast on Sept. 9 against the Cubs. “The ultimate goal, of course, is to win the World Series.”

The Dodgers have won at least 90 games in 11 consecutive seasons since 2013, the second-longest streak in MLB history.

National League West

Division rankings until September 24

Dodgers 93-64 (.592)
Padres 91-66 (.580) 2 games back

The Dodgers The magic number to win the division is 4.

The Dodgers host the Padres for three games at Dodger Stadium from September 24-26. If Los Angeles wins two of the three games, they can win the division at home. The Dodgers could secure the NL West no earlier than Thursday, September 26..

San Diego has beaten the Dodgers in eight of 11 meetings this season, securing the season series. If the two teams finish with the same score, the tiebreaker is secured.

The Diamondbacks were eliminated from the NL West race on September 22 with their 69th loss, while the Dodgers had already won 93 games. A three-way tie was technically still possible at that point, but in that scenario, the Padres would have the best record within the games played among the three teams and would have won the division in that case.

Secure a playoff spot

The Dodgers' win over the Marlins in Miami on September 19 was their 91st of the season and ensured that Los Angeles finished no worse than the sixth-best record in the National League and secured their 12th consecutive playoff berth.

National League seeding list

It is a close battle between the division leaders in the NL. Until September 24th:

Dodgers 93-64 (.592)
Phillies 93-65 (.589)
Brewers 90-67 (.573)

The division winners with the two best records receive a bye directly to the division series, while the third-best division winner must play in the best-of-three wildcard round.

The Dodgers lost the season series against the Phillies by losing five of six games, giving Philadelphia the tiebreaker. But Los Angeles has the tiebreaker against the Brewers by winning four of seven games against Milwaukee.

The Dodgers have a magic number of 2 over the Brewers to secure a bye into the NLDS (if the Dodgers win the NL West)In other words, the Dodgers need 2 out of 10 results to go in their favor.

The Dodgers' magic number to achieve the best record in the National League is 5.