SAN DIEGO—In a thrilling season of Major League Baseball, the Los Angeles Dodgers are navigating the rocky waters of the playoffs after defeating the San Diego Padres 8-0 in an elimination game at Petco Park.

This victory has propelled the Dodgers into a decisive Game 5, leaving them with the weight of uncertainty regarding their starting pitcher.

This year's playoff format has sparked considerable discussion, especially as division winners seem to struggle under the current system.

The likes of the Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers have already been eliminated, and the American League has seen the Houston Astros bow out as well.

The Dodgers, facing stiff competition, find themselves at a crossroads in the National League Division Series (NLDS) with only the New York Yankees enjoying a clear advantage in their series against the Kansas City Royals.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has pointed out a troubling trend: division winners often come into the Division Series without adequate preparation after a five-day layoff.

He highlighted that no National League division winner has progressed to the League Championship Series (LCS) under the existing playoff format in the last three years.

The Dodgers have a disheartening record of 3-8 in NL Division Series play since 2022, a stat that has many wondering if a best-of-seven series would better serve the interests of division winners.

“I wish it were a seven-game series,” Roberts remarked after the game.

“It provides a better assessment of the teams involved in the matchup.”

Would this format change resolve the issues of a lengthy wait? “No doubt, absolutely,” Roberts insisted, indicating a strong desire for reform.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers find themselves in the current high-stakes scenario without a clear starter.

The team had to rely on their bullpen throughout the entirety of Game 4, and they faced significant challenges, including the absence of key players like first baseman Freddie Freeman, who was sidelined due to a high ankle sprain.

Despite their injury woes, the depth of talent featuring $1.4 billion worth of star players helped secure the win.

As the Dodgers prepare for Game 5 on Friday night at Dodger Stadium, the tension hangs thick in the air.

The winner of this game will continue on to face the New York Mets in the best-of-seven NL Championship Series, starting Sunday.

On the mound, fans may see a duel between two standout Japanese pitchers.

Yu Darvish, a seasoned 12-year veteran for the Padres, is expected to start, while Dodgers rookie Yoshinobu Yamamoto is being considered as he navigates his way back from a shoulder injury.

This matchup could define the series, adding another layer of excitement for fans.

The Dodgers showcased a strong bullpen performance in Game 4, managing to limit the Padres to just seven hits.

The shift in mindset and strategy might play a crucial role in their upcoming game.

Both teams have home-field advantage over the Mets, who recently swept the Phillies to secure their spot in the next round.

It’s worth noting that despite the Dodgers’ hefty payroll of $241 million, they are grappling with starting pitching issues, particularly with superstar two-way player Shohei Ohtani still recovering from elbow surgery.

Mookie Betts has been a beacon of hope for the Dodgers, with his powerful performances—including a first-inning home run that energized the lineup.

After struggling in previous postseasons, Betts seems to have found his rhythm, no longer feeling overwhelmed by negative external opinions.

“Hit. Kept hitting. That’s all I’ve been doing,” Betts explained, underscoring his determination to succeed.

As the stage is set for Game 5, all eyes will be on the Dodgers to see if they can overcome their challenges and advance, reigniting questions about whether the current playoff format is truly serving the spirit of competition in Major League Baseball.

Will this pivotal match shift the tide, or will it be the end of the road for L.A. fans? Tune in to find out!