In all likelihood, rookie right-hander Jose De Leon has already made his last appearance for the Dodgers this season. And even though the Dodgers’ National League Division Series roster has not yet been officially announced, his chances of being on it appear to be a bit remote. It’s not that the 24-year-old Isabel, Puerto Rico native isn’t deserving of a roster spot, it’s that there simply isn’t room for him, nor is there a real need for him to be on it … at least not at this point.

Although De Leon’s chances of making the postseason roster are slim, he is pretty much a lock to make the Dodgers starting rotation next season. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

According to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and barring the unthinkable, the NLDS rotation will be comprised of ace left-hander Clayton Kershaw (12-3, 1.65 ERA), left-hander Rich Hill (12-5, 2.05 ERA) and right-hander Kenta Maeda (16-10, 3.28 ERA) – in that order – for the first round of playoffs. Roberts also hinted to the media on Thursday afternoon that rookie left-hander Julio Urias will also be on the playoff roster, although he did specify in what role. That being said, it’s hard to believe that he would not be considered the Dodgers fourth starter for the short series. This, of course, leaves the burning question of who the Dodger so-called “long reliever” will be for the best-of-five series. It is this burning question that gives De Leon hope – albeit slight – that he might make the playoff roster.

“I’m not sure about the start. We still have to talk internally and make a decision,” Roberts said of Urias. “But I think he’s made a strong case to be on the postseason roster in some capacity.”

With three games remaining in the regular season, Urias has a very impressive 5-2 record and 3.39 ERA. He has also struck out 84 while walking 31 in his career-high 77.0 innings pitched.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Since clinching the NL West Division title for a franchise record-setting fourth consecutive time last Sunday, Roberts and pitching coach Rick Honeycutt have been more or less holding auditions with their pitchers and position players – presumably to come up with a 25-man postseason roster that gives them the best chance of advancing to the League Championship Series. In doing so, the Dodgers brain trust has used left-hander Brett Anderson out of the bullpen and plan to do the same with right-hander Brandon McCarthy as early as tonight, when the Dodgers open up their final regular season series against the hated Giants at AT&T Park. And while this means that scheduled starter Rich Hill will probably only go five innings – more as a tune up for the Division Series than anything else – it will allow Roberts and Honeycutt to see if McCarthy – like Anderson – are viable long-relief options out of the bullpen.

Roberts has done and will continue to do the same thing with bench players Kiké Hernandez, Andrew Toles, Yasiel Puig, Andre Ethier, Rob Segedin and last Sunday’s hero Charlie Culberson; although he said on Thursday that Toles and Puig are a lock for the NLDS playoff roster.

“He’s done nothing to disappoint,” said Roberts of the 24-year-old Toles. “He’s been great – offensively, defensively, running the bases – but I still want him getting out there, and see his name on a Major League lineup.”

And what’s not to like about the new Yasiel Puig? Since returning from his month in the penalty box at Triple-A Oklahoma City, the oft-controversial Dodger outfielder has been a model citizen, not to mention his four home runs, 10 RBIs and .283 batting average since rejoining the team on September 2.

“Yasiel has self-admitted he’s grown,” said Roberts. “It’s tough to humble yourself and check your ego and go to Oklahoma City and be a Minor League player, but he did that and he learned from it and earned the right to be a Major League player.

“We talk about it being a privilege to be a Major League player,” Roberts added. “I think, to his credit, he really understands what that means. He’s done a lot to help us win a lot of baseball games. He’ll be on the postseason roster, and he’s earned it.”

Puig has been on fire since returning from his demotion to Triple-A Oklahoma City. He has also proven himself a much better teammate and, according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, has “earned” a spot on the postseason roster. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

As for De Leon, in spite of knowing that he is on the proverbial bubble for a postseason roster spot, he also knows that he and his teammates still have work to do even with the Division title already in hand.

“Right now the season isn’t done yet,” said De Leon, amidst spraying champagne in the Dodgers clubhouse last Sunday afternoon. “We’ve got to win to get the home field advantage in the first series so the season isn’t done yet.”

It goes without saying that home field advantage for the Division Series is… well… an advantage in that it guarantees the team that has it no less than two games at home regardless of how many games the series goes and a third game if it goes the full five games. But in the grand scheme of things is it really an advantage? The short answer is yes, but only by the slightest of margins – only 51 percent according to a 2013 Bleacher Report study. But the long answer – like all postseason baseball play – is exactly as it has always been:

It’s not the best team that wins the World Series, it’s the hottest team.