MLB Playoff Picture: 3 weekend storylines that could change everything

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 07: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees watches the flight of his fourth inning home run against the Minnesota Twins during game one of a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium on September 07, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

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San Diego Padres right fielder Juan Soto. (Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports) /

3) Dodgers-Padres will determine whether SD has postseason hope

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been the best team in baseball as they are 94-42. The San Diego Padres will likely make the playoffs as they are 76-62 under their first-year manager Bob Melvin. However, the Padres have a razor-thin margin in the Wild Card and they have been atrocious against the Dodgers.

The Padres currently have the second NL Wild Card spot but they only have a 0.5-game lead on the Phillies for that spot. The Phillies only have a 2.5-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers for the final NL Wild Card spot.

This weekend, the Phillies are facing the Washington Nationals, who are 2-10 against the Phillies this year and 49-89 on the season. The Brewers are facing the Cincinnati Reds, who are 4-8 against the Brewers and 55-80 on the season. The Padres are facing the Dodgers. The Padres are 3-10 against the Dodgers this season.

If the Padres don’t win at least two of the three games this series, they could be out of the playoff picture come Monday and could have a hard time getting back in. Of the NL contenders, they have the toughest remaining schedule so this weekend could make or break the Padres.

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