Atlanta’s loss to Cincinnati secured the Dodgers the NL’s No. 2 seed and a first-round bye, despite their 4-2 defeat by San Diego. Five days off next week will help the injury-hit team prepare for its Oct. 3 playoff opener at Dodger Stadium.
Freddie Freeman has been limited by a sore right knee, while the Dodgers are trying to get Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell and closer Edwin Díaz healthy. Andy Pages returned after missing a month with a broken hand, and Dalton Rushing was expected to be activated from the injured list Friday.
The No. 2 seed gives Los Angeles home-field advantage in the Division Series and potentially the World Series if it advances. Thursday’s sellout crowd of 53,027 pushed the Dodgers’ home attendance above four million for a second consecutive season. The Padres’ win also clinched their fifth postseason berth in seven seasons.
