The Dodgers don’t know who their first postseason opponent will be. They don’t even know when their first October game will be.
Technically, the San Diego Padres can control their destiny in the National League West by sweeping the Dodgers in their three-game series beginning Tuesday. If they continue to win out, it doesn’t matter what the Dodgers do in their season-ending series against the Rockies.
But, if all goes according to plans, the Dodgers will maintain their three-game lead in the division, skip the Wild Card round, and proceed directly to the National League Division Series as they have in years past.