Los Angeles wrapped up the NL West over a week ago, but there is work to be done heading into the final three series of the 2019 regular season.

The Dodgers (98-55) are closing in on their second 100 win season in three years, and yet there is a lot of work to still be done with nine games remaining before the postseason. They trail both the Houston Astros and New York  Yankees, by two games, for the best record in Major League Baseball and the all-important homefield advantage in the World Series.

While the club is nursing some injuries to prominent players, it is crucial L.A. makes the most of these last nine games. The Rockies, Padres and Giants are a combined 209-250 this season, and each team has a losing record. The best thing the Dodgers can do is beat up on their NL West foes, put themselves in position to gain homefield advantage in the Series and have some momentum going into October baseball.

That starts with cleaning up their pitching. Tonight, Clayton Kershaw will take the mound, followed by Hyun-Jin Ryu Saturday and Walker Buehler on Sunday. Put Colorado away this weekend and exert your power over the division. Will we see Julio Urias instead of Kenley Jansen if a save opportunity presents itself tonight?

INJURIES: The Dodgers receieved a blow this week when outfielder Alex Verdugo was ruled out for at least the National League Divisional Series. He will be reevaluated in two weeks. Justin Turner remains day-to-day with an ankle injury and is out of the lineup for tonight’s game.

First pitch is at 7:00 tonight, and you can listen live on your Dodgers station in the Santa Clarita Valley, KHTS FM 98.1.

KHTS Sports is your place for the 2019 Santa Clarita high school football season and your Santa Clarita Dodgers coverage. Find all the latest news and updates on your hometown schools here as they compete in the Foothill League, Heritage League, Western State Conference and GSAC.