They are just sitting around waiting for someone to apply them to a specific result. Can a team flip the proverbial switch in the playoffs? If any team can, it's the uber-talented two-time defending champion Dodgers.
You might think, hey, they've been good down the stretch and, sure, the win-loss record in the month of September looks fine. I will again point out, however, that they haven't won a series against a playoff-caliber team since July 20-22. Since then, the Dodgers have lost series to the Red Sox (sweep), Cubs (sweep), Diamondbacks, Brewers, Braves (sweep) and Padres.
Can they just flip said switch in time for the playoffs? The Brewers, meanwhile, have been beating up on everyone all year. They won the season series over the Dodgers, Yankees, and Rays, and they completely owned the Cubs.
But they had the best record in baseball last year and were swept in the NLCS. Should something similar happen again, they are tagged with the "regular-season merchants" nonsense or -- even worse -- we have to hear about small-market stuff. These White Sox are coming off three straight 100-loss seasons and it's a relatively inexperienced playoff ballclub.
If they start advancing, brace yourselves for the "too young and dumb to understand" narrative. On the flip side, the Guardians and Astros have a bunch of experience. Should either knock the White Sox out, well, it's the playoff experience stepping forward.
The hottest team coming into the playoffs? That would be the San Diego Padres, who have won 17 of 20. Remember, either way works.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
