Dodgers’ 2024 postseason FAQ

MIAMI — From the moment the Dodgers arrived at Camelback Ranch in February, their goals for the 2024 season were pretty simple.

First, they needed to make the postseason, which they accomplished on Thursday with a 20-4 drubbing of the Marlins at loanDepot park. Next, the Dodgers will try to secure their 11th National League West title in 12 seasons. Ultimately, their goal is to win the World Series in order for this to be a successful campaign.

“The goal is to win the last game in October,” manager Dave Roberts said. “But you still got to enjoy moments. It’s been a grind of a season, a lot of challenges, and with that, when things happen like this tonight, you got to enjoy it.”

With all the work left to be done for the Dodgers, here’s everything you need to know as Los Angeles prepares for the postseason:

What could the postseason roster look like?
After playing with a 28-man roster in September, teams revert to 26 players, with a maximum of 13 pitchers, in each round of the postseason. Rosters are due the morning of Game 1 of each round.

Given how their roster is set up, it’s likely the Dodgers go with 13 position players and 13 pitchers in the postseason, though that will all be determined by who they match up against in their first-round series.

What’s still left to accomplish?
The Dodgers are still looking to win their 11th NL West title in 12 seasons and earn a first-round bye. Los Angeles sits four games ahead of the Padres in the division with nine games left in the regular season. The two division rivals face off in a three-game series at Dodger Stadium starting on Tuesday.

Los Angeles is also battling the Phillies and Brewers for one of the two first-round byes. The Dodgers will enter Friday’s game against the Rockies with a three-game lead over the Brewers and tied with the Phillies for the top seed. The Phils, however, won the season series against the Dodgers, which would serve as the tiebreaker.

When do the playoffs start?
It depends how the Dodgers finish the regular season. If Los Angeles secures the first-round bye, it would start the chase for the club’s first World Series championship in a full season since 1988 on Saturday, Oct. 5.

You’ll find the most up-to-date information, including a bracket of matchups if the season ended today, as well as details about potential tiebreakers, at MLB.com/postseason.

Which of the injured players still have a chance to return?

The Dodgers have navigated through a plethora of injuries this season. Tyler Glasnow and Gavin Stone, two of their top starters, will be unavailable in the postseason due to season-ending injuries.

Clayton Kershaw, who has missed the last three weeks with a toe injury, has a chance to make it back for a regular-season start, setting him up to be available for a playoff start. That will all be contingent on how he recovers over the next couple of days.

Catcher Austin Barnes, who also has a fractured left big toe, is expected back to serve as the team’s backup catcher in October.

Who are some players that are still options for the postseason roster?
If Anthony Banda can get healthy from a hairline fracture in his throwing hand, the left-hander could be an option for the Dodgers out of the bullpen.

Brent Honeywell, who has fared well out of the ‘pen since joining the Dodgers, could also be a multi-inning option. Offensively, Andy Pages could be an option off the bench, especially if Los Angeles’ opponent has left-handers looming out of the bullpen.

Who could be the first-round matchup?

There are still a lot of different possibilities for the Dodgers. As things stand now, the Dodgers would be the No. 2 seed in the postseason, which would set them up to play the winner of the Wild Card Series between the Brewers and Mets.

The Dodgers went 4-3 against the Brewers this season and 4-2 against the Mets. If Los Angeles moves up to the No. 1 seed, it could play the winner of the Padres and D-backs. The Dodgers are 3-7 against San Diego and 7-6 vs. Arizona this season.