The Los Angeles Dodgers, as of Wednesday afternoon, have the second-best record in the National League at 93-57.
The best mark belongs to the Atlanta Braves, currently 97-55.
The Dodgers are close behind, which means they can still realistically contend for that top seed.
For a reason we will explain in a bit, some Dodgers fans prefer their team to keep the second seed rather than seek the first one.
Juan Toribio, a Dodgers insider, highlighted that if LA has the chance to secure the first spot in the NL, they should.
“I’ve seen this a few times lately and I still think it’s a bad take. If you can secure a potential Game 7 at Dodger Stadium, you take that,” he tweeted, referring to people who want to avoid the Philadelphia Phillies instead of securing home-field advantage through the National League playoffs.
I've seen this a few times lately and I still think it's a bad take. If you can secure a potential Game 7 at Dodger Stadium, you take that. https://t.co/irs0pShL74
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) September 20, 2023
Per MLB’s format, the top two seeds in each league get a bye in the Wild Card round.
When they return to play in the Division Series, the first seed will face the winner of the battle between the fourth and fifth seed; and the second seed will face whoever comes out on top in the matchup between the third and sixth seeds.
The Phillies have a high chance to finish the regular season as the fourth seed, which is reserved for the best Wild Card team.
That’s why some Dodgers (and Braves) fans would like the second seed: to potentially avoid the dangerous Phillies.
Philadelphia reached last year’s World Series and has an improving offense, not to mention multiple aces.
Still, closing out a series at home should beat every other motivation or circumstance.
NEXT: Freddie Freeman Joins An Elite MLB Club
