With August winding down and the MLB regular season entering its final month, the playoff picture is coming into focus—and nowhere is the tension higher than in the National League. The Los Angeles Dodgers, long a powerhouse in the league, are once again at the center of the postseason conversation, but the road ahead is anything but straightforward. As of August 28, 2025, the Dodgers are clinging to a narrow lead in the NL West, boasting a 77-57 (.575) record and holding a two-game edge over the surging San Diego Padres (75-59, .560). But with a grueling stretch of 28 games over the next 31 days, the challenge is just beginning for the Dodgers and their fans.
The Dodgers have just enjoyed a rare day off after a punishing run of 13 consecutive games. That respite, however, is short-lived. Beginning Friday, the team embarks on a relentless schedule featuring a nine-day stretch from September 2-10, a ten-day grind from September 12-21, and a six-day dash to the finish from September 23-28. None of their remaining schedule matches the intensity of those 13 consecutive games, but the stakes are higher than ever as the team juggles the pursuit of a division title and postseason positioning.
Unlike in most years, winning the NL West in 2025 does not guarantee a free pass past the wild card round. Under the current playoff format, the top two seeds in each league receive byes to the divisional round, while the third division winner and three wild card teams face off in best-of-three series. The Dodgers, who have only been in the wild card round twice during their recent playoff streak—once in the expanded 2020 postseason and again in 2021 after finishing just behind the Giants—are keenly aware of the razor-thin margins that can define a season.
“We’re fighting on several fronts this year,” remarked a Dodgers team official earlier this week. “It’s not just about winning the division; it’s about securing that crucial bye and setting ourselves up for a deep October run.”
The competition for that coveted No. 2 seed is fierce. The Milwaukee Brewers, riding a torrid 44-16 record over the past ten weeks, have surged to the top of the National League with an 83-51 (.619) mark, giving them a six-game cushion for the No. 1 seed. The Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies are neck-and-neck for the second seed, with the Phillies just a half-game back at 76-57 (.571). The Cubs have matched the Phillies’ record, making the battle for second place—and the accompanying bye—one of the most intriguing storylines as September approaches.
The Dodgers hold the tiebreaker over the Padres, thanks to a 9-4 head-to-head record this season, but won’t face San Diego again. Both teams have several common games remaining, adding another layer of complexity to the division race. The Padres, meanwhile, are not just chasing the Dodgers but are also embroiled in a tight wild card battle, with the Cubs (76-57), Mets (72-61), and Reds (68-66) all still in the hunt.
Looking at the postseason bracket as it stands on August 28, the National League’s top six are the Brewers, Dodgers, Phillies, Cubs, Padres, and Mets. The Reds, while technically still in the race, saw their chances take a hit after being swept by the Dodgers. The wild card round, set for September 30 to October 2, will see all games played at the higher seed’s home park—a significant advantage in short series where every pitch counts.
If the season ended today, the Brewers would face the winner of the Cubs-Padres wild card matchup, while the Dodgers would await the victor of the Phillies-Mets series. That’s right—Los Angeles could find themselves facing a Phillies squad that took two out of three from them in April, or a Mets team that’s been red-hot at home, winning five of their last six at Citi Field and coming off a sweep of the Phillies in which they outscored Philadelphia 25-8.
“The Mets couldn’t have picked a better time to heat up,” wrote one analyst, noting New York’s .327 team batting average and 12 home runs over the past week. With the Mets now 20 games above .500 at home and leading the season series against the Marlins 4-2, they’re emerging as a potential wild card dark horse. Their upcoming four-game series against Miami, starting August 28, promises to be another showcase of their offensive firepower.
On the pitching front, tonight’s Braves-Phillies matchup also features plenty of intrigue. Cal Quantrill, making only his second start for Atlanta, faces off against Aaron Nola, who’s pitched scoreless first innings in each of his two starts since returning from the injured list. Nola has held opposing batters to a .214/.283/.310 slash line in the first inning this season, with an impressive 16/4 K/BB ratio. Quantrill, meanwhile, has allowed just one first-inning homer in 25 starts and has fared better against lefties than righties. Bettors are eyeing the first inning under, with one expert recommending, “Pick: Braves/Phillies 1st Inning Under 0.5 Runs (+120).”
Across the league, the American League playoff picture is equally tight. The Toronto Blue Jays (78-56) and Detroit Tigers (78-57) are neck-and-neck atop their divisions, with the Houston Astros (73-60) and Boston Red Sox (74-60) leading the wild card chase. But all eyes remain on the National League, where the Dodgers, despite being favorites to win the World Series, face mounting pressure from all sides.
As the regular season races toward its conclusion, every game, every inning, and every managerial decision could tip the scales. The Dodgers’ schedule is relentless, their rivals are hungry, and the playoff format offers little margin for error. The next month will test the mettle of every contender, but for the Dodgers, the mission is clear: survive the gauntlet, secure the bye, and keep their championship dreams alive.
With four and a half weeks remaining, the National League playoff picture is anything but settled. The Dodgers hold their fate in their own hands, but the road to October glory is lined with obstacles—and the chase is only getting hotter.
