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The Dodgers face a crucial stretch down the final month of the regular season, and there are several key questions that will determine how prepared the team is for October, per MLB.com. With the postseason approaching, the focus shifts from day-to-day performance to evaluating what needs to happen in September to give the team its best chance in the playoffs.

The most pressing concern involves getting healthy and managing workloads carefully. Shohei Ohtani has been dealing with knee and bicep issues that have limited his availability, and the team needs to determine how much to rely on him down the stretch versus preserving him for October. Will Smith, recently returned from injury, needs to find his rhythm offensively and defensively. The pitching staff, including Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, and Roki Sasaki, must stay healthy and sharp as the team navigates the final push into the postseason.

Lineup consistency is another major question. The offense has been inconsistent through stretches this season, and the Dodgers need to identify the right combination of players and roles heading into October. Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts remain anchors, but the team needs secondary contributors to produce at higher rates. Role players like Enrique Hernández, Tommy Edman, and Teoscar Hernández will be critical in the postseason, and September is the time to build confidence and chemistry.

Roster construction for October also looms large. The team has time to make roster decisions and potentially address weaknesses before the expanded playoff roster is finalized. Decisions on depth pieces, bench versatility, and bullpen options need to be made with October baseball in mind.

This month is about more than wins and losses. It’s about building momentum, staying healthy, and answering the questions that will define whether this team is ready for a deep playoff run. The Dodgers know what’s at stake, and the final 30 games are essentially a tune-up for what matters most.

Source(s): MLB.com | First reported: August 31, 2026 3:01 PM UTC

God Bless and Go Dodgers