The Los Angeles Dodgers have locked up a top-two seed in the National League and a first-round postseason bye.
The clinch followed Atlanta's 7-6 loss to Cincinnati on Thursday night.
At 97-61, Los Angeles is assured of finishing no lower than the No. 2 seed.
The club opens the postseason on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Dodger Stadium, its 14th straight Division Series appearance.
Five Days of Rest for an Injured Roster
The five-day gap before the NLDS gives the Dodgers time to recover from a demanding regular season.
Shohei Ohtani, Andy Pages, and Roki Sasaki were recently activated from the injured list.
Freddie Freeman and Blake Snell have been playing through physical ailments.
Freeman said the pause is essential for a roster that has been grinding.
"There's a lot of us kind of limping toward the end here, a lot of aches and pains this year," Freeman said.
He added that the time will help get players back on the field and ready for NLDS Game 1.
The team previously adjusted its playoff bye-week workouts after early NLDS exits in 2022 and 2023.
Those changes included simulated games before the 2024 championship run.
Manager Dave Roberts said the extra rest is vital given the physical toll on the roster.
"Given all the tax and where our guys are healthwise, to get that week would be huge," Roberts said.
Top Seed Still Within Reach
Los Angeles still has a mathematical chance at the NL's top seed.
The Dodgers trail the 100-59 Milwaukee Brewers by 2 1/2 games with four games remaining.
Milwaukee holds the tiebreaker after winning the regular-season series between the clubs.
Roberts said playing well matters more than chasing the top overall seed.
"We want to get the bye, and if it happens that we keep well and gain a couple games on the Brewers, great," Roberts said.
He pointed to improved pitching, at-bats, defense, and baserunning as signs the team is rounding into form.
As the No. 2 seed, Los Angeles will face the winner of the Wild Card series between the No. 3 and No. 6 seeds.
Fox Sports will broadcast the NLDS games.
The Dodgers close the regular season with a road series against the San Francisco Giants.
