The Dodgers will be officially eliminated if they lose today. They have 77 losses, so the best they can do is 85 wins. The Braves, second place in the NL East, have 85 wins already, so the Wild Card would be out with a Dodger loss (or a Braves win). The Giants and Padres have 83 wins, but they play each other in the season's final weekend, so one of them is guaranteed to have 85 wins, at least. If those two teams lose all their remaining games heading into the final weekend, that would mean Colorado, who has 82 wins, will sweep the Giants, putting them at 85 wins. In other words, the NL West winner is guaranteed to have at least 85 wins.
Luckily for the Dodgers, Clayton Kershaw is pitching today. He has started four games against the Rockies this season, and has given up a total of three runs, in 26 innings. The Dodgers have won all four games. In fact, the Dodgers have won five straight Kershaw starts against Colorado, and he has given up five runs total in his last seven starts against them.
At Dodger Stadium, Kershaw has given up two runs in five career starts against Colorado, and has a streak of 29 consecutive scoreless innings against the Rockies at home.
The Dodgers need a win today because the world doesn't need another Rocktober, or Rocktember, or whatever the hell Coloradoans are calling it this year. The Dodgers need to help send Colorado on a Rockation, starting October 4.
The Mustard Is Off The Hot Dog
Farmer John is here at Dodger Stadium today during Viva Los Dodgers promoting making the bacon-wrapped hot dog the official hot dog of Los Angeles. For every text today of "VOTEYES" to 80800, Farmer John will donate a pound of food to local food banks.
They also will be giving away free t-shirts to anyone who uses the Foursquare App to "check-in" at the Tailgater Truck today, in Lot 6, at the pre-game festivities.
Game Time: 1:10 p.m.
TV: Prime Ticket