Dodgers face a pivotal end to the season, weighing the value of a five-day bye against the momentum of three crucial Phillies games. The plan could rest Will Smith and tune the rotation for October, but it also risks timing disruption for hitters. A Padres surge adds urgency as NL West standings tighten and wild-card implications loom, with past finales offering a cautionary tale about scheduling and playoff paths.

Beyond the Dodgers, the Phillies hold a lead in their division, while the Padres loom 2.5 games back. If the West shifts on the final days, the path to the NLCS could hinge on who earns home-field in the wild-card round and how best to deploy top arms. Historical echoes from 1996 underscore the tension of final-day decisions and postseason exposure.

Philadelphia clinches a playoff berth thanks to Dodgers’ big win over San Francisco, vaulting them into a guaranteed spot even as they chase the NL’s No. 2 seed. With Zack Wheeler sidelined, Jose Alvarado suspended for playoffs, and Trea Turner and Alec Bohm dealing with injuries, the Phillies’ path to rest-of-season success hinges on depth and timely performances as they head into a pivotal series with Los Angeles.

Milwaukee had already punched their ticket, while the Dodgers, Cubs, Tigers and Blue Jays remain in prime position to join the field this week, reshaping fantasy rosters and betting angles as the postseason picture crystallizes.

Dodgers enter a pivotal three-game set with the Phillies at Dodger Stadium, as they chase the NL West and a smoother October path. Friedman argues a bye improves World Series odds by letting hitters time up and injured players recover, even as timing may suffer. Will Smith's health is a key piece in the late-season mix.

If San Diego closes the gap, the Dodgers still likely face a wild-card route, with home-field advantages shaping rotation plans and bullpen usage. The two-week sprint hinges on late-season results and how the rotation is stacked for the opening rounds.

Historical notes echo in the back of the mind: a 91-win pace, prior Octobers with byes, and the 1996 finish where a final-day decision reshaped the playoff path. The Dodgers must navigate these final games and rotations with precision.

Brewers clinch a postseason spot as September narrows, with Phillies close and Dodgers atop the NL. Padres, Cubs and Mets chase wild cards while Giants and Reds surge. In the AL, Mariners and Astros duel for the West as the wild-card field tightens behind Red Sox and Yankees. The 12-team format awards byes to the top two division winners; October begins Sept. 30.

SportsLine projects the byes for Brewers, Dodgers and the Jays and Tigers, with a crowded wild-card scramble testing bullpen usage and daily lineups in the final weeks.