Dodgers Way Quick Hits: The Magic Number is Down to Five

The Dodgers played what was one of their best games of the season against the Diamondbacks on Monday, September 24th and as a result, they decreased their magic number to just five. In addition to the win, like every day, there was plenty of news to cover.

David Freese has been a highlight reel for the Dodgers since getting traded here by the Pirates. Freese, 35, is a seasoned veteran who was brought to Los Angeles for his expertise on and off the field as well as his clutch skills with the bat. Since coming to LA, Freese is hitting .375 with two home runs, a .474 OBP and a slugging percentage of .652. The Dodgers would have been hard-pressed to find a more productive player for such a cheap price. Freese could very well end up a key player in the Dodgers’ run for the postseason as well as their push for the World Series trophy.

Other news…

More from Dodgers Way

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• Giants laughably sign pitcher that Dodgers absolutely own
• Dave Roberts’ quote about Padres in NLDS should motivate Dodgers

• The Dodgers bullpen is starting to finally should its capabilities with Caleb Ferguson, Kenta Maeda, and others flashing their strength over the last few games. Ferguson has been the biggest emergence for the Boy in Blue this year and he could figure to be a vital piece of the postseason bullpen. Maeda has diced up hitters with ease and aside from the one pitch that got away and struck Christian Walker in the face on Monday night, he has had great control of his pitcher. The Dodgers are getting hot at the right time especially a bullpen that has been pretty middle of the road throughout the entirety of the season.

• Should the Dodgers clinch the divisional title, they will face the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS. The Braves will be a tough opponent with both a potent offense and a pitching staff, both in the pen and the rotation, that can really do some damage. The Braves clinched their division, the NL East, last week but hope to keep their foot on the gas as this will be a tough postseason with a lot of inexperience on the lineup. For the Dodgers to win the series, the bullpen will need to step up and the offense will need to get to pitching early before they go to an above average bullpen to close out the game.