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Los Angeles Dodgers Magic Number for the National League West is 13

Staff Writer
5 Min Read
Sep 8, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts (50) hits a triple during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Dodgers firmly control their playoff destiny as the 2024 MLB season enters its final stretch. With just 19 games left, the Dodgers’ magic number stands at 13 for clinching the National League West division title over the San Diego Padres and 11 vs. Arizona Diamondbacks. San Diego has already clinched the tiebreaker vs Los Angeles with three games to play against them, while the Dodgers have earned the tiebreaker vs the Diamondbacks, going 7-6 against them this season.

Upcoming Schedule

The Dodgers have the best baseball record and are coming off a strong series against the Cleveland Guardians, taking 2 out of 3 games. They now face a three-game homestand against the Chicago Cubs before embarking on a crucial four-game series against the Atlanta Braves in Atlanta. They then head to Florida for three games vs. the Marlins before returning home to Los Angeles.

This upcoming stretch will be pivotal in solidifying their playoff position and potentially securing a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the postseason. They lead the Philadephia Phillies by a game and the Milwaukee Brewers by four games. Philadephia owns the tiebreaker vs both Los Angeles and Milwaukee, with the Dodgers earning the tiebreaker vs the Brewers.

Playoff Odds

The Dodgers’ playoff odds are virtually assured at this point in the season. Their odds of making the postseason are off the board at most sportsbooks, implying a greater than 99% chance of reaching October baseball. This continues an impressive streak for the franchise, which has made the playoffs for 11 consecutive seasons while winning the National League West ten times.

Division, Pennant, and World Series Odds

Let’s take a closer look at how the Dodgers stack up against their National League rivals in terms of odds to win the division, pennant, and World Series, according to the sports betting site Betting-Utan-Svensk-Licens.net:

National League West Odds

  • Los Angeles Dodgers: -3500
  • San Diego Padres: +2400
  • Arizona Diamondbacks: +1800

The Dodgers are overwhelming favorites to clinch the NL West, with odds implying a near-certainty of winning the division.

National League Pennant Odds

  • Los Angeles Dodgers: +170
  • Philadelphia Phillies: +235
  • Atlanta Braves: +700
  • Milwaukee Brewers: +850
  • San Diego Padres: +900
  • Arizona Diamondbacks: +1000
  • New York Mets: +1500

The Dodgers lead the pack in NL Pennant odds, with the Phillies as their closest competitors.

World Series Odds

  • Los Angeles Dodgers: +300
  • New York Yankees: +500
  • Philadelphia Phillies: +500
  • Baltimore Orioles: +650
  • Houston Astros: +900

Playoff Picture

If the postseason were to start today, the Dodgers would be the top seed in the National League, earning them a bye to begin the playoffs and home-field advantage through the World Series. This positioning is crucial, as it would allow them to avoid the Wild Card round and enter directly into the Division Series.

Playoff Ticket Prices

Ticket prices vary widely for fans looking to catch the Dodgers in action during their playoff push. Single-game tickets for the upcoming series against the Cubs at Dodger Stadium start at $27.81 for upper-level seats, with an average price of around $115.88. Premium seats behind home plate or near the dugouts can fetch prices as high as $1,569.42.

As the Dodgers continue their march toward the postseason, fan interest will likely intensify, potentially driving up ticket prices for crucial late-season and playoff games.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are in an enviable position as the 2024 MLB season winds down. With a comfortable lead in their division and favorable odds across the board, they are poised for another deep playoff run. However, as any baseball fan knows, anything can happen in October, and the Dodgers must maintain their focus to turn their regular-season success into postseason glory.