Dodgers @ Phillies September 20, 2017: For the NL West clinch

(Via)

The Dodgers (96-55) need a win in Philly and a D-backs loss in San Diego to clinch their fifth straight National League West title. Should L.A. stave off the series loss to the Phillies (60-91) on Wednesday, their champagne celebration will have to wait until the Arizona-San Diego game concludes (6:10 PM PT start time). Although clinching at home would be ideal, they need to wrap it up and get it done at this point.

Dodgers
Phillies
4:05 PM PT
Philadelphia
CF
Taylor
2B
Hernández
SS
Seager
SS
Galvis
3B
Turner
CF
Herrera
1B
Bellinger
1B
Hoskins
RF
Puig
RF
Altherr
C
Barnes
3B
Franco
LF
Granderson 1B Joseph
2B
Forsythe
C
Knapp
P
Wood (L)
P
Thompson (R)

Alex Wood (15-3, 2.69, 3.23) will try to lower the Dodgers’ magic number to 1 and give the Dodgers a reason to stick around the clubhouse after the game to watch the D-backs and Padres. Since returning from the disabled list, Wood’s velocity hasn’t been where it was during the first half of the season, a span of dominant pitching for the left-hander. Nevertheless, Wood has been an integral part of the Dodgers’ success this year and looks to be a contributor in October whether he starts or pitches out of the bullpen. Last time out against the Nationals, Wood pitched six scoreless innings and struck out eight in the 7-0 Dodgers win.

Jake Thompson (2-2, 4.46 ERA, 5.91 FIP) has only faced the Dodgers once in his young career. Last season, the right-hander lost to the Dodgers in his third major league game in Philadelphia. He allowed five runs on five hits with four strikeouts and four walks in five innings. Adrian Gonzalez, Justin Turner and Curtis Granderson have hit home runs off Thompson.

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Pedro Baez, public enemy #1, will not be pitching for the next few days. He’ll be with Dave Roberts in the dugout in order to “clear his head.”

Hyun-Jin Ryu is still in consideration for a NLDS roster spot and will pitch this weekend against the Giants.

Should the Dodgers celebrate clinching the division despite losing 15 of their last 20 games? Absolutely. It’s been a long arduous journey, and this team has done something special despite the bumps in the road along the way that comes with every baseball season.

Not losing a series is a good thing, but clinching is even better. I hope to be watching the Boys In Blue pop some bottles later tonight with you.

About Stacie Wheeler

Stacie Wheeler, born and raised in So Cal, has been writing about the Dodgers since 2010. She wrote daily as the co-editor of Lasorda's Lair for five long years, and she has also written for Dodgers Nation, Dodger Blue 1958 and The Hardball Times. She currently contributes to True Blue LA. Stacie graduated from the University Of Southern California with a bachelor's degree in Cinema-Television. You can also watch her videos on her YouTube channel, DishingUpTheDodgers.