LOS ANGELES -- The last two teams left standing west of the Missouri River will hunker down along the Pacific Ocean over the next week amid anything but a serene setting. The MLB-best Los Angeles Dodgers will take on the San Diego Padres, the top team since the All-Star break, when a fiery National League Division Series matchup begins Saturday. When the Dodgers clinched their playoff spot with a rousing 20-run victory Sept.
19 on the road against the Miami Marlins, the day was better known for Shohei Ohtani having one of the best games in MLB history. Ohtani punched his ticket to his first ever playoff appearance with six hits, three home runs, two stolen bases and 10 RBIs. If that wasn't enough, the effort gave the Dodgers' star the first ever 50-homer, 50-steals season in MLB history.
"It's always been my childhood dream to be able to be in an important situation, to play in important games." Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton, explaining why he has a sense of calm on the eve of his first playoff appearance. "I think the excitement of that is greater than anything else that I could possibly feel.
" While Ohtani and the New York Yankees' Aaron Judge are the postseason's must-see players, the Padres are a must-see team with a 43-20 record since the All-Star break, as well as a series sweep of the Atlanta Braves in the wild-card round. The Padres finished second to the 98-64 Dodgers in the NL West, but do not exude the little-brother vibe. San Diego went 8-5 against t.