Dodgers: Facing Division Rivals in Playoffs Has More Pros than Cons

As the Dodgers head into Arizona with a commanding 2-0 lead, you can only feel very confident about this teams chances of advancing. A good question to think of whenever a playoff series comes against a division opponent is if it is has a positive or negative effect on the team.

Right now, we can say it’s positive, but let’s take a little bit of a deeper dive into what it can do for the Dodgers.

Los Angeles has faced the Diamondbacks 19 times this season in which Arizona took 11 of the games to the Dodgers’ eight. Six of those games came when the Diamondbacks swept the Dodgers twice during their ridiculous hot streak, so take that, as you will.

Obviously, the regular season doesn’t mean much of anything as soon as October rolls around, but you have to look somewhere. One way to look at it is being able much more thoroughly scout your opponents because of how many times you see them.

On the other hand, it works against you for the same reason. In this sense, you don’t get an advantage against the opponent, but it’s better than facing an out of division opponent. The familiarity factor can help close the talent gap, which is a scary thing.

Where you do get an advantage, however, is the fire that can be lit under your team, if they are hungry enough. Throughout the first two games of this series, it has never had the nauseating feeling of playoff series of the past.

To me, the Dodgers are just a hungrier team than the Diamondbacks and won’t let anyone, especially a division rival get in the way of them. There’s also the extra-added bonus of having a pool party, but that’s a subject for tonight’s game.

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To me, the Dodgers are just a hungrier team than the Diamondbacks and won’t let anyone, especially a division rival, get in the way of them. There’s also the extra-added bonus of having a pool party, but that’s a subject for Monday’s game.

Facing a division rival during the regular season always calls for some good baseball, but facing them in the playoffs can really get a fan base riled up. As you’ve seen over the weekend, Chavez Ravine was rockin’ and the Dodgers fed off of those vibes. Expect the same kind of reaction in Arizona from the D-Backs fans, as they will try to give an edge to their team as well.

One specific positive effect I can see for the Dodgers this series is getting to face old friend Zack Greinke. Not that you should hate Greinke or anything (he took the extra money just like we all would’ve), but it would be nice to take down the guy who left you for the enemy. I’m sure white-hot Yasiel Puig will be ready to face Greinke after all they’ve been through.

Since the Dodgers have moved to LA, they have never faced a division rival in the playoffs, which is pretty crazy. So, the Diamondbacks are basically the Dodgers’ guinea pigs. If they take the series then it is a good thing to face a division rival. If they lose it then we should hope for it to never happen again.

Next: NLDS Game 2 Recap

Whatever, the case may be, having a little extra edge to face an opponent in October is always a good thing. Whether you’re facing a division rival or not, you must leave it all out on the line. Yes, it can be more beneficial to face a division rival sometime in the playoffs, but that advantage hinges on many different variables. For right now, let’s enjoy the moment and pray for a #PoolParty this tonight.