The Dodgers have won the NL West again. Now what? 4 biggest questions entering playoffs

The Los Angeles Dodgers secured their fifth consecutive National League West title on Thursday, September 17th, with an 8-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed pride in his team's contributions, but emphasized that there is still much work to be done ahead of the postseason. The Dodgers have appeared in 14 consecutive playoff series, tying them for the most in MLB history alongside the Atlanta Braves. To secure a first-round bye, the Dodgers need to clinch six more victories.

Without a doubt, the Dodgers face several challenges heading into the playoffs. Their dominant roster is aging, with an average age of 30.6 years old, the highest in Major League Baseball. Pitcher Blake Treinen is the oldest at 38, and star Miguel Rojas, who has declared this will be his final season, is 37. The Dodgers have bolstered their roster with younger talent, such as 21-year-old Josue De Paula, who has stepped in to hit as designated hitter while Ohtani recovers from knee and biceps injuries.

A primary concern is the health of outfielder Mookie Betts, first baseman Freddie Freeman, and left fielder Kiké Hernández, all of whom are expected to play in the postseason. Pitcher Edwin Diaz and outfielder Andy Pages, who were both returning from injuries, may also be activated during the team's upcoming homestand.

Another critical question revolves around the Dodgers' starting pitching rotation. The team has acquired Tarik Skubal, who, along with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow, are projected to start the first four games of a seven-game series. While Yamamoto remains healthy, Skubal's injury history and Snell's and Glasnow's recent setbacks create uncertainty.

Only time will tell which teams the Dodgers will face in the postseason, but they will likely take on the Atlanta Braves or San Diego Padres, both of which have proven tough opponents in recent years.