The Dodgers went through loads of extra security upon arrival into Pittsburgh yesterday, with the G-20 Summit in town the same time as the Dodgers. Perhaps their offense didn't make it past the Secret Service in time for the game. No matter, because the scales are still heavily tipped in favor of the Dodgers in terms of making the playoffs and winning the division.
The Dodgers will make the playoff with one more win, or one more loss by the Braves. That could come as soon as this morning, as the Braves are set to play the Nationals at 10am.
Once the Dodgers clinch a playoff berth, it will be Joe Torre's 14th consecutive playoff appearance, tying the record set by Bobby Cox four seasons ago. Here is a look at the two playoff runs of these two legendary managers:
| Joe Torre | Manager | Bobby Cox |
| 1996-2009 | Years | 1991-2005* |
| 14 | Playoff Appearances | 14 |
| 12 | Division Titles | 14 |
| 2 | Wild Card Berths | 0 |
| .598 | Winning % | .606 |
| 6 | Pennants | 5 |
| 4 | World Titles | 1 |
| 2 (1996 & 1999) | Head-to-Head Wins | 0 |
| *The 1994 strike season is counted in Cox's win% | ||
Randy Wolf has made 11 starts against the Pirates in his career, and his teams have won 10 of those games. Wolf himself is 7-1 with a 3.44 ERA and an estimated 2.95 FIP in his career against the Pirates.
Rafael Furcal got a single last night in the eighth inning to extend his hitting streak to nine games. He has reached base in 18 consecutive games, and is hitting .368/.442/.592 over that time.
Paul Maholm is 2-2 in his last six starts with a 2.72 ERA, and has pitched at least six innings in nine of his last 10 starts. Why, that's almost as good a run as Wolf, who has pitched six innings for 16 straight starts.
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| Team | W-L | GB |
| Dodgers | 92-62 | --- |
| Rockies | 87-67 | 5 |
| Braves | 83-70 | 8½ |
Today's scoreboard watching
10:05 am
Braves (Tommy Hanson: 10-4, 3.66 FIP) at Nationals (Garrett Mock: 3-9, 4.17 FIP)
Gameday
The Dodgers can clinch a playoff spot today with a win OR a loss by Atlanta
5:10 pm
Cardinals (Adam Wainwright: 18-8, 3.23 FIP) at Rockies (Ubaldo Jimenez: 14-11, 3.35 FIP)
Now that is a pitching matchup! The Dodgers' magic number to clinch the NL West is three.
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Check out Xeifrank's simulation of today's game here.
Don't forget to RSVP for True Blue LA Day at Dodger Stadium, on the next-to-last day of the regular season, October 3 against the Rockies. There are five tickets left.
Get your guesses in for our today's "One, Two, Three Strikes, You're Out," here.
Game Time: 4:05pm
TV: Prime Ticket