One can certainly argue that the standings in May will have little bearing on what the standings will be in September. Then again, first place is first place, regardless of when it happens, right?

As of today, May 17, 2021, the San Francisco Giants are in first place in the National League West, and the Dodgers are not. They are, instead, in third place, 2.0 games behind the Giants and a game and a half behind the second-place San Diego Padres.

Although any four-game series against a division rival can have an enormous impact on the division standings, having a four-game series against a division rival immediately preceding a three-game series against the division leaders makes it every bit as important.

Let’s face it, should the Dodgers tie or (Heaven forbid) be swept by the current NL West fourth-place Arizona Diamondbacks, it is highly unlikely that they would emerge from the San Francisco series at Oracle Park (or whatever it’s called as of this moment) in first place. However, should the Dodgers take or even sweep the series from the Snakes, and with a little help from the Cincinnati Reds over the next four days, they could very well come out of next weekend’s series against The Hated Ones atop the NL West.

…and you gotta love that.

Play Ball!

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