“`html
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres are on the verge of securing postseason berths, with both teams boasting over 99% playoff probabilities as of Friday, according to Baseball Prospectus. This sets the stage for a potentially thrilling National League Championship Series showdown between the southern California rivals.
The Padres,who have the second-fewest home runs in Major League Baseball,managed to score both of their runs in a single inning Friday against the Dodgers.The rally was built on three singles, a walk, a sacrifice bunt, and a sacrifice fly.
San Diego demonstrated a strong emphasis on small ball during Friday’s game, executing three sacrifice bunts. This brings their season total to a major league-leading 40 sacrifice bunts. In contrast, the Dodgers have recorded onyl eight, the fewest among National League teams.
Padres reliever Mason Miller, formerly an All-Star closer for the Oakland Athletics, reflected on his career highlight to date. He stated that closing the final game at Oakland Coliseum last September remains his most memorable baseball experience. “I think I said it after that game: until I play in the playoffs, that will probably be my all-time baseball memory,” Miller said. “Now it doesn’t seem like I’ll have to wait that much longer to get that playoff taste.”
Baseball Prospectus calculated the Dodgers’ playoff probability at 99.8% and the Padres’ at 99.6% as of