Dodgers’ MLB playoff fate comes down to the wire
Dodgers cling to the NL West lead but may need to settle for a Wild Card as the regular season winds down.
The countdown to the end of the 2025 MLB regular season is on, and with just over 10 games left, every win could decide who books their ticket to October.
What do the Dodgers need to advance to the 2025 MLB playoffs?
As of Tuesday, September 16, the Dodgers still have 12 games left to lock in their postseason spot: two more against the Philadelphia Phillies, four against the San Francisco Giants, three against the Arizona Diamondbacks and three against the Seattle Mariners.
The Dodgers currently control their own destiny. They can clinch a direct playoff berth by winning the National League West – since the two top tickets go to the division winners in the West, East and Central with the best overall records.
Right now, Los Angeles sits atop the division with an 84–66 record and already holds a Wild Card position. They maintain a narrow lead over the San Diego Padres (82–68), but the Padres could steal the division crown with a stronger finish down the stretch.
If the season ended today, the National League postseason picture would look like this:
- Milwaukee Brewers | Direct qualification | 91–59
- Philadelphia Phillies | Direct qualification | 90–61
- Los Angeles Dodgers | Wild Card | 84–66
- Chicago Cubs | Wild Card | 90–61
- San Diego Padres | Wild Card | 82–68
- New York Mets | Wild Card | 77–73
From here on, the Dodgers must rack up as many wins as possible to keep their hopes of a direct berth alive – while also needing both the Brewers and Phillies to avoid a long winning streak of five or more games. If that happens, Los Angeles will be reaching for the calculator to see their exact scenarios.
Their most likely outcome remains the Wild Card. They could still climb as high as the third seed in the National League if they claim the West, but even if the Padres outpace them, the Dodgers’ current win total gives them a solid chance of holding a strong Wild Card spot.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.