Dodgers Playoff Chances: How Can L.A. Make The 2018 MLB Postseason Over The Cardinals Or Rockies?

The Los Angeles Dodgers (88-71) are still trying to clinch a 2018 MLB postseason berth. Heading into the final weekend of the regular season, there’s a chance that L.A. won’t be part of the playoffs for the first time in six years.

With three games left on the schedule, the Dodgers don’t control their own destiny in the NL West. They are a half-game behind the Colorado Rockies (88-70) for first place in the division. Colorado has a one-game lead in the loss column, and they’ll close out their series with the Philadelphia Phillies (78-80) Thursday afternoon as Los Angeles has the day off.

If Colorado loses Thursday, the Dodgers need to win one more game than the Rockies in order to become NL West champions. If the Rockies defeat the Phillies, Los Angeles needs to win two more games than Colorado if they hope to win the division by Sunday. A first-place tie would be decided Monday in a head-to-head matchup.

Colorado ends the season at home against the Washington Nationals (81-78), who have won three games in a row. Los Angeles visits the San Francisco Giants (73-86). San Francisco has lost six of their last seven games.

Of course, the Dodgers would have a good chance to make the playoffs without winning the division. They currently have a one-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals (87-72) for the second NL Wild-Card spot. The Chicago Cubs (92-66) and Milwaukee Brewers (92-67) are fighting for first place in the NL Central, and the second-place finisher will get the first Wild-Card berth.

St. Louis was just swept by Milwaukee, and things won’t get any easier for the Cardinals in the final weekend. They’ll play a three-game series at Wrigley Field with the Cubs still looking to win the division. The teams that the Dodgers and Rockies are ending the season against have nothing on the line.

Los Angeles has won each of the last five NL West titles, never finishing with fewer than 91 wins during that time. The Dodgers led MLB with 104 regular-season victories last year, eventually losing to the Houston Astros in Game 7 of the World Series.

The Dodgers have a 92.5 percent chance to make the playoffs, according to ESPN. The Rockies’ playoff chances are listed at 87.8 percent and the Cardinals come in at 19.6 percent.