Dodgers surge late to beat Giants as they work to get healthy for playoffs

Mookie Betts hit a solo home run in the first inning as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Francisco Giants 8-2 at Dodger Stadium on Friday night. The win secured the Dodgers' playoff berth for a record-tying 14th consecutive season and their fifth division title in six years. The victory also placed the Dodgers in contention for their fourth 100-win season in six years.

However, the team still has significant work to do to prepare for the playoffs, including determining the location and timing of the postseason opener and getting their injured players healthy. The Dodgers trail the Milwaukee Brewers by two games in the race for the top seed, while leading the Atlanta Braves by four games for the league's second-best record.

To improve their chances of securing the top two seeds, the Dodgers will need to clear their injury list, which currently includes at least seven players. Left-hander Blake Snell, center fielder Andy Pages, and right-hander Edgardo Henriquez are among the injured players, while outfielder Shohei Ohtani is dealing with injuries to his left knee and right biceps.

Despite these challenges, the Dodgers have maintained momentum with a 11-4 record in their final homestand of the season. Manager Dave Roberts expressed confidence in the team's ability to build on this performance while addressing the health of their key players.