PHILADELPHIA – Mark Your Calendars for Late October

Hold on to those tickets. The Dodgers are set to return to the World Series.

It’s becoming increasingly difficult to doubt the Dodgers’ abilities. They clinched the pennant, particularly after winning three consecutive games against the Philadelphia Phillies this week.

From a matchup perspective, the Phillies represent a significant challenge for the Dodgers as they strive for their third World Series appearance in a row.

And yes, the Dodgers triumphed against them this week.

At Citizens Bank Park, no less.

Interestingly, none of the expected playoff starting pitchers were in action during this series.

With the Phillies sitting in second place in the National League East, they were eager for a win.

The result of the series finale, a 9-5 victory for the Dodgers, left little doubt about which team was superior.

If the Phillies can’t hold them off in the National League, who can?

The Atlanta Braves?

They seem to lack pitching depth.

The Milwaukee Brewers?

They might not even have a solid starting pitcher, and their lineup mirrors that of last year’s, when they offered little competition against the Dodgers’ robust squad.

For both the Braves and Brewers to stand a chance, acquiring Tarik Skubal before the trade deadline on August 3 would be crucial.

“They have the most complete roster I’ve ever seen. They don’t show any weak points,” remarked one executive from a rival team about the Dodgers this week.

The Dodgers’ bullpen is solid, and they’re hopeful to welcome back closer Edwin Diaz as the team begins its next home series against the Seattle Mariners.

Utility player Quique Hernandez is also on track to return for the Mariners series after rehab in the minors.

Blake Snell pitched in a minor league game recently, while Shohei Ohtani is scheduled for another bullpen session soon.

Curiously, the Dodgers didn’t really need these players to overcome the Phillies.

This week’s matchup mirrored last year’s National League Division Series, but it showcased a closer contest than the 3-1 outcome suggests.

In that previous series, the Dodgers had to execute a strategic play in the ninth inning to claim victory in Game 2. Game 4 even went to 11 extra innings.

Yet, it was clear the Dodgers’ consistency made the difference. They deliver when it counts, something the Phillies seem to struggle with.

In a tense moment on Tuesday, the Phillies had runners on second and third with one out. Brandon Marsh hit a ground ball to third base, leading to some chaotic running. Ultimately, they failed to score.

Wednesday brought another base-running mishap. Bryson Stott was on second when Trea Turner grounded out to third, yet Stott inexplicably made an out at third base.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn’t dwell on the results.

“The postseason is definitely different,” he stated. “But they’ll be in the postseason, and there’s a good chance we’ll face them again.”

The Phillies couldn’t win a series against the Dodgers in Los Angeles two months ago, nor could they do so in Philadelphia this week.

Looking three months ahead, in a more extended series, it’s hard to see a vastly different outcome.

By that time, Diaz, Ohtani, Snell, and Tyler Glasnow will likely be in action. Will Smith should be back in the lineup as well.

In fact, it seems the gap may widen between these teams, making the Dodgers’ path to the World Series all the clearer.