Dodgers chase NLDS bye after clinching playoff spot

MLB Dodgers chase NLDS bye after clinching playoff spot

By Ben Gale

September 19, 2026 • 12:04 AM EDT

Updated 1 hours ago

Dodgers chase NLDS bye after clinching playoff spot

The Dodgers just locked up a playoff spot for the 14th year in a row, matching the Braves’ all-time record for most consecutive trips to the postseason. They didn’t stop there, either — a series of wins over the Reds capped off yet another division title, making it five in a row and 13 out of the last 14 years.

Nobody’s surprised the Dodgers are still in the driver’s seat in September, but now the focus shifts. You want to know what really matters in these last couple weeks? Securing that first-round bye into the National League Division Series. In a long postseason with ups and downs, brushing off the Wild Card round means more rest, less chaos, and a direct ticket to the main event. That’s what every contender wants in October.

Here’s where things stand: Only the two best division winners get a free pass to the NLDS. The Dodgers are in great shape, but so are the Brewers and Braves. With three teams stacked at the top, the difference between an extra series and a few extra days off could come down to a single bad night or hot streak. And because the Dodgers don’t hold the tiebreaker against either Milwaukee or Atlanta, they can’t just match those teams — they have to beat them outright in the regular season standings.

According to Yahoo Sports, as of September 18, the NL division leaders look like this: Brewers (96-58), Dodgers (93-60), Braves (90-64). With the Brewers piling up wins, the Dodgers’ margin for error is slim. They need to stay ahead of the Braves for that second seed, but overtaking Milwaukee won’t be easy.

Key developments to know

The Dodgers clinched a 14th straight postseason berth, tying the Atlanta Braves’ record.
Back-to-back wins in Cincinnati locked in another NL West title for the Dodgers.
As of September 18, the Brewers lead the NL at 96-58, Dodgers at 93-60, Braves at 90-64.
The Dodgers do not hold the tiebreaker over the Brewers or Braves.
Their magic number for the No. 2 seed over the Braves is six — six combinations of Dodgers wins or Braves losses does it.
Chasing the Brewers for the top seed, the Dodgers’ magic number is 12. Milwaukee only needs six to lock it themselves.

Why the NLDS bye matters for the Dodgers

If you’re betting the NL playoff futures, don’t underestimate the value of that bye. Skipping the Wild Card round gives the Dodgers pitching staff extra time to reset and hitters a breather heading into the real grind. The margin between a deep run and an early exit can be razor thin — and avoiding a best-of-three coin flip can’t be overstated.

With no tiebreaker advantage over either the Brewers or Braves, every remaining regular season game takes on outsize importance for the Dodgers. Winning the division’s great, but grabbing that second (or first) seed will likely demand more than just coasting in.

Current NL division standings (as of Sep. 18)

Brewers: 96-58
Dodgers: 93-60
Braves: 90-64

The Dodgers not only need to win, but also hope their rivals drop a couple along the way. No room for scoreboard watching — it’s pedal down from here to the finish line.

Key takeaways for bettors

The Dodgers have clinched a playoff spot for the 14th straight year, tying an MLB record.
Milwaukee leads the NL and controls the top seed race as of September 18.
The Dodgers must finish ahead of both Milwaukee and Atlanta for seeding due to lacking tiebreakers.
Their magic number for a No. 2 seed over Atlanta is six; for No. 1 over Milwaukee, it’s 12.
Securing a bye to the NLDS puts the Dodgers in a prime postseason spot, giving their pitching rotation a breather.
Every remaining game will be crucial: both the Dodgers’ wins and what the Braves and Brewers do will shape their seed.
If you’re looking at playoff futures, keep a close eye on the shifting standings, not just final records.
The tiebreaker disadvantages mean a tie isn’t good enough — the Dodgers must be outright better in the standings.

More coverage: MLB news coverage and MLB analysis and odds.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Dodgers clinched a playoff berth for the 14th consecutive season, tying the Atlanta Braves’ MLB record, and also secured their fifth straight NL West division title.

The Dodgers’ magic number to clinch the No. 2 seed and a bye over the Braves is six, meaning any combination of six Dodgers wins or Braves losses gets it done.

The Milwaukee Brewers and Atlanta Braves are the main rivals. The Brewers currently have the best record; the Braves are chasing the Dodgers for the No. 2 seed.

The Dodgers don’t own the regular season head-to-head tiebreaker over either the Brewers or the Braves. So, they must finish with a better record to get a higher seed.

It’s huge. Skipping the wild card round allows the Dodgers to rest pitchers and set their rotation, making them more dangerous for a deep playoff run.

As of September 18, there are 17 possible outcomes (Dodgers wins/losses and their rivals’), so every result is crucial for seeding hopes.

A first-round bye means the Dodgers avoid the wild card round and proceed directly to the National League Division Series, starting their postseason run later and with fresher arms.