Dodgers Edge Closer to NL West Title After Padres Loss

The Los Angeles Dodgers are closing in on clinching the National League West division title with their magic number shrinking to as low as four games following key losses by the San Diego Padres. The Dodgers currently lead the division by 2.5 games and hold the season series tiebreaker over the Padres, needing to tie them to secure the crown. Despite strong performances from starters like Blake Snell and Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers' bullpen remains a concern due to its high ERA, which could impact their postseason success. The team aims to clinch the division by September 22 at the earliest, which would enable them to avoid the wild-card round and secure rest for their veteran players ahead of the playoffs. Recent games have featured dramatic moments, including a ninth-inning home run by Phillies' Rafael Marchan that delayed the Dodgers' magic number reduction. Overall, the Dodgers' combination of solid starting pitching and the need to improve their bullpen performance defines their current path toward a potential fourth consecutive NL West title.