The Los Angeles Dodgers are absolutely dominating the NL West, sitting at a formidable 80-51 as of Tuesday, August 25. They’ve grabbed serious ground on the Atlanta Braves for that crucial first-round bye, and securing it would boost their postseason chances big time. But even with those strong odds, there’s a ton of uncertainty swirling around the Dodgers. Grant Brisbee from The Athletic put his finger on the one massive question that could truly decide their entire postseason outcome. It’s a simple one, but man, it’s a gut punch: “How’s everyone feeling?” Brisbee nails why that seemingly innocent question is actually everything.
Injuries Everywhere: Can The Dodgers Actually Get Healthy?
You hear “How’s everyone feeling?” and you might shrug, but Brisbee laid it all out. Tyler Glasnow is reportedly close to rejoining the rotation, which is huge, right? Shohei Ohtani is finally throwing again. And Will Smith? He’s nearing a rehab assignment. That’s a lot of good news. But here’s the flip side: the Dodgers are basically swimming in injured players. They’ve got a bullpen’s worth of arms on the Injured List, and Andy Pages is out for a while. So, while they might feel like they’re in the epic “montage sequence” of their season right now, the reality check is coming. Will Smith, Dalton Rushing, Andy Pages, Tyler Glasnow, and a whole bunch of relievers are all sidelined. Their ability to return and be ready to roll could make or break a deep October run for that squad.
Superteam Struggles: The Vibe Check That Matters Most
This Dodgers team is a bona fide superteam, no doubt about it. On paper, and usually on the field, they’re stacked. But what happens if those superstar players aren’t fully healthy? What if they’re grinding through a slump, like the source article mentions Kyle Tucker is doing? Their postseason chances are gonna take a hit, plain and simple. Sure, they’re still World Series favorites, that’s not changing. But if multiple key guys aren’t feeling right, whether it’s nagging injuries or just plain struggles at the plate or on the mound, making a deep October run becomes a whole different beast. This isn’t about one guy having an off night; their team is too deep for that. This is about the *overall team vibe* and momentum heading into the postseason. If that’s off, it could lead to a seriously disappointing 2026 postseason outcome.
So, the question “How’s everyone feeling?” isn’t just about individual health. It’s about the collective pulse of a team heading into the biggest moments of their season. As for our own Mariner, Cal Raleigh, he’s currently on track for a really wild stat: fewest homers after a 60+ homer season in MLB history. Just another wild tale unfolding in the MLB, Emerald City!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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