The Los Angeles Dodgers began the final week of the regular season with a crucial three-game series against the San Diego Padres that ultimately determined the winner of the National League West.

In the opening game, the Padres narrowly defeated the Dodgers by turning a game-winning triple play. The win helped San Diego clinch a postseason berth and kept LA’s magic number to clinch the division at four.

However, the Dodgers bounced back with two straight wins to clinch the NL West for the 11th time in the last 12 seasons.

Manny Machado, via AJ Cassavell of MLB.com, said that the Padres were not disappointed with the result and are confident they will face the Dodgers again in the postseason:

“No disappointment,” third baseman Manny Machado said. “We are having a great season. We are in the off-season. We’ll see them in a few weeks.”

The Dodgers were able to maintain victory in the NL West despite a variety of injuries and excellent play from the Padres in the second half. San Diego posted a 43-20 record since the All-Star break, which was the best record in baseball.

They expect to be a tough opponent in the playoffs and will begin their journey when they host the No. 5 seed in a best-of-three NL Wild Card series at Petco Park.

Will the Dodgers and Padres meet in the postseason?

If the Padres win their Wild Card Series matchup, they will face the Dodgers in the NL Division Series for the second time in the last three seasons. San Diego lost to LA 8-5 in the regular season.

Who the Padres will face was only decided on Monday with the conclusion of the doubleheader game between the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves.

The Dodgers have secured a first-round bye in the postseason and will host Game 1 of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, October 5.

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