The Los Angeles Dodgers are focusing on building momentum through September, recognizing its potential to propel them toward another World Series title. This late-season surge is viewed as crucial for entering the postseason with confidence.
Shortstop Mookie Betts emphasized the importance of playing well in September. "Obviously, if you can end it in September playing good ball, then I think it gives you confidence going into the postseason," Betts said. He recalled instances where a lackluster September finish negatively impacted playoff performance, referencing the 2022 season when the Dodgers were eliminated in the National League Division Series after dropping three of their final four regular-season games.
However, the team has also seen success following strong September runs. Last year, after a difficult July and August, the Dodgers posted a 15-10 record in September, winning nine of their last 11 games en route to a World Series championship. The year prior, a similar mid-season slump was overcome with a dominant August and sustained form through September, culminating in another World Series win.
Manager Dave Roberts attributes September's increased depth to roster expansion, which allows the team to manage player fatigue. "I think a lot of September is the depth," Roberts stated. "Rosters expand to 28 players on Sept. 1 of every season, and the Dodgers use that to give their players breaks." This strategic rest is applied to key players like Shohei Ohtani, Max Muncy, and Betts, ensuring they are fresh for the playoffs.
Early indicators suggest a positive trajectory. The Dodgers' starting pitching appears to be solidifying, with Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow adding to a rotation that includes multiple Cy Young Award contenders. Ohtani is expected to return to the lineup soon after a brief absence.
Offensively, the team has shown improvement. After averaging just 3.9 runs per game in August, the Dodgers increased their scoring to 5.8 runs in the first six games of September. Their recent three-game sweep of the Washington Nationals saw them score 18 runs, with a notable improvement in hitting with runners in scoring position, going 9-for-28 (.321) and driving in 11 runs with two outs.
A key moment in their recent success came during a 7-5 victory over the Nationals. Trailing 4-1, the Dodgers rallied in the fifth inning to tie the game and ultimately took the lead in the eighth when Betts hit a go-ahead, three-run home run. Betts, despite a .246 season average, has been hitting .305 with five homers over his last 24 games. Outfielder Teoscar Hernández has also seen a resurgence, batting .423 with a home run in his last eight games.
The Dodgers are currently competing for the No. 2 seed in the National League, which would secure a first-round bye in the postseason. However, their recent experiences suggest that how they finish the regular season may be more critical than their final seeding position.