Dodgers Magic Number: LA facing concerns after Tanner Scott blows another game

It's been nearly eight months since the Los Angeles Dodgers signed Tanner Scott – who was supposed to be one of the best relievers in baseball – but they still have yet to see that version of him.

Scott has a 5.01 ERA across 50 1/3 innings with just 52 strikeouts and a 1.27 WHIP this season. His home run rate of 1.79 per nine is the worst of his career by far, and he added to it Friday night when he gave up a walk-off grand slam to Patrick Bailey and the San Francisco Giants.

It was another gut punch in a season full of them for the defending World Series champions, and the Dodgers are getting dangerously close to losing control of their own playoff destiny with less than three weeks remaining in the regular season as October looms large.

Dodgers Magic Number: LA only controls own destiny for No. 3 seed in National League

Even after their latest loss, the Dodgers are still a virtual lock to make the playoffs. Their magic number to clinch a postseason berth is nine – that is, any combination of nine Dodgers wins and losses by trailing teams.

From the NL perspective, the Dodgers are only in complete control of their own destiny for the No. 3 seed in the league, which means they would host a Wild Card series rather than getting a first-round bye. Even then, the San Diego Padres and the Chicago Cubs are right on their heels. As of now, they cannot do anything in their power to claim a No. 1 or 2 seed, meaning they will not receive a first-round bye.

The Milwaukee Brewers are pacing the NL, with the Philadelphia Phillies close behind. Since the Dodgers have already lost the tiebreaker to the Phillies this season, they would need to finish ahead of Philadelphia outright in order to get the No. 2 seed.

For the Dodgers to clinch the National League West division, their magic number increases to 12. Unless the combined total of Dodgers wins and Padres losses down the final stretch of the season reaches that number, Los Angeles will lose the division crown for the first time since 2021.

If the Dodgers want to finish higher than the No. 3 seed, then, it will be an uphill battle and they'll need help from the Brewers and Phillies. Perhaps, thanks to Scott's repeated meltdowns, it's a battle they've already lost.

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