There just might be something heavenly about this season. Manna did not fall from heaven, but Manny did, sustenance without cost. And now the skies could open up, raining down upon the East Coast and raising up the Dodgers.
Laugh all you want about the Dodgers lucking into the playoffs, as the best team in the worst division, with a record worse than that of the Houston Astros. But the Dodgers could have the last laugh, and the best draw.
They'll open the playoffs Wednesday, somewhere but not here. They'll be sitting pretty as three teams fight for the last two National League playoff spots -- the longer the fight, the better for the Dodgers.
"Tire 'em all out," Dodgers Manager Joe Torre said. "That's fine with me."
The Chicago Cubs, as the NL team with the best record, draws the NL wild card. That should leave the Dodgers to play the NL East champion, except that the Cubs cannot open against the wild-card team if that team comes from its division. So, if the Milwaukee Brewers win the wild card, the Dodgers would play the Cubs.
The New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies remain in contention for the NL East championship. The Mets, Phillies and Brewers remain in contention for the NL wild card.
If that three-way race extends to Sunday, the Mets are scheduled to start Johan Santana, and the Phillies are scheduled to start Cole Hamels.
That would preclude either one from starting Game 1 of the playoffs, and then the Mets and Phillies would have to decide whether to use their ace on short rest in Game 2, or hold him for Game 3.
"If they don't have their No. 1 going, it makes a huge difference," Dodgers infielder Casey Blake said.
In the meantime, the Dodgers have Derek Lowe rested and ready for Game 1, with Chad Billingsley set for Game 2.
Any tiebreakers are scheduled to be played Monday, which would burn a No. 2 starter for the participating teams.
But rain is forecast for the East Coast this weekend, raising the possibility that makeup games could be needed Monday, pushing any tiebreaker game to Tuesday.
And, in the case of a three-way tie among the Phillies, Mets and Brewers, there would be one tiebreaker Monday and another Tuesday, weather permitting.
"I hope they play until Wednesday," Dodgers coach Larry Bowa said, "and I hope they have an extra-inning game. We'll move back to Thursday. I don't mind."
