Although the Dodgers undoubtedly left San Francisco feeling really good about taking two of three from their archrival Giants this past weekend (as they should), they are still a long way from the finish line. Standing in their way are two teams who have already been eliminated from postseason play; two teams who will finish dead last in their respective divisions; two teams who have absolutely nothing to lose and are playing for pride with zero pressure on them; two teams who would love nothing more than to rain on the Dodgers parade – the NL West last-place Rockies (59-90) and the NL Central last-place Cubs (65-84).

While the Dodgers are 9-4 against the Rockies this season (5-2 at Coors Field), anything can happen at the ballpark that many refer to as Curse Field. It was in Colorado in 2012 where Matt Kemp collided with the wall in left-center field causing a shoulder injury that he just recently seems to finally be fully recovered from (after two surgeries). It is also at Coors Field where Yasiel Puig ran full speed into a steal beam that was covered with a pad causing him to miss several games with leg and hip discomfort – issues that still seem to bother him from time to time.

Coors Field is definitely not one of the Dodgers favorite destinations – especially for Matt Kemp.
(Photo credit – Barry Gutierrez)

Another huge factor facing the Dodgers for the three-game series against the Rockies is that they are sending the back of their rotation to the mound, including their weakest link in Roberto Hernandez tonight. Since joining the Dodgers on August 7, Hernandez is 2-3 with a 4.75 ERA. And while this may seem normal for a number five starter, it’s the five home runs he has allowed that has Dodger fans feeling a little nervous heading into mile-high Coors Field.

On Tuesday Dan Haren will take the mound for the Dodgers. In his last four starts Haren has pitched more like a staff ace than a number four starter. During that time he is 3-0 with an remarkable 0.69 ERA and 20 strikeouts. Even though Haren gave up 25 home runs earlier this season, he hasn’t allowed a home run in his last 25 innings pitched.

With shoulder irritation forcing left-hander Hyun-jin Ryu on the shelf, right-hander Carlos Frias will take the mound on Wednesday against Rockies left-hander (and staff ace) Jorge De La Rosa. Frias made one spot start for the Dodgers on September 3 against the Washington Nationals and was absolutely brilliant, throwing six shutout innings while striking out four and walking one. Although the 24-year-old Dominican Republic native has been a starter during his entire eight-year minor league career, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly has used him primarily as a multi-innings reliever – a role that he has done exceptionally well in. Chances are that Mattingly will again limit Frias to no more than six innings, but if he performs like he did against the Nationals, he could very well end up being the Dodgers fourth starter/long reliever on the playoff roster – depending on the results of Ryu’s MRI scheduled for later this morning.

Although Mattingly would prefer to keep Frias in the bullpen as his long reliever, he must once again call on him as a spot starter for the injured Hyun-jin Ryu. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

After the three games in Colorado the Dodgers head to historic Wrigley Field for a four-game series with the Cubs (65-84). Although the North Siders are last in the NL Central, they too have nothing to lose and are playing for pride. In their three previous meetings with the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in early August, the Cubs took two of three from the Blue Crew. The good news is that the Dodgers will open the series with Zack Greinke on Thursday and Clayton Kershaw, who will be going for his 20th win of the season, on Friday. Hernandez will likely go on Saturday and Haren on Sunday.

While all of this is happening, the Giants will be in Arizona for three with the Dbacks, a day off on Thursday, and three with the Padres in San Diego. They then pull into Dodger Stadium for their final meeting with the Dodgers on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, September 22, 23 and 24.

Both teams then finish up at home with the Dodgers facing the Rockies for three (after a day off) and the Giants facing the Padres for four.

As you can see, the NL West title is still very much a two-horse race between the Dodgers and Giants and it will most likely be decided somewhere in the other 10 remaining games and not necessarily in the three games against each other.

…or will it?