PHOENIX — Not so fast.
The Dodgers celebrated clinching a postseason spot following Sunday’s win in San Diego in a subdued fashion. Manager Dave Roberts led the team in a toast. Hats (supplied by MLB) with postseason logos on the side were passed out to everyone on the team. On the official MLB.com website an “X” went next to the Dodgers in the standings, signifying they had clinched a spot in the playoffs.
But they didn’t actually clinch a playoff spot Sunday. MLB had miscalculated, failing to account for the mathematical possibility – but real-world improbability – that the Dodgers lose their remaining 23 games while the San Diego Padres win all of their remaining games, taking the NL West title and forcing the Dodgers into some kind of a three- or four-way tie for a wild-card spot.
The Dodgers can clinch a playoff spot – this time for sure – with a win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night or on Tuesday with a win or a loss by the Milwaukee Brewers. The Dodgers can also clinch the NL West title as early as Tuesday.