“It’s extremely difficult to win a World Series,” said Dodgers executive Andrew Friedman. “And it’s even more difficult to repeat as champion.” Winning a championship is the hardest thing in baseball, but repeating it is almost impossible. The last team to achieve this incredible feat was the New York Yankees, who did a three-peat from 1998-2000. Even Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts echoed similar thoughts, “It’s just hard… That’s the honest answer,” when asked why no team has done it for nearly 25 years.

Although the Dodgers sit atop the NL West table, 4 games ahead of the Padres, their bullpen has massively struggled this year. This is a big drop-off from last year for the ‘Bullpen Dawgs’, who are collectively averaging 4.19 ERA and 1.340 WHIP, ranking 19th in the majors. And this hole in the Dodgers’ side was brutally exposed by the Phillies when they clinched the series against the reigning champions. Especially late in the game.

Alec MacNichol of That Balls Outta Here pointed out that nobody wants to face this Phillies team late in a game, especially not the Dodgers. Each of the Phillies’ wins at Dodger Stadium came from rallies in the seventh inning or later. And the Phillies have proven they play their best baseball in the game’s final innings, and NBC Sports Philadelphia’s John Clark showed a stunning statistic: “They have scored 279 runs in the seventh inning or later this season, the most in the majors.”

The Phillies faithful are getting flashbacks of the 2011 team, which won a franchise-record 102 games. But is more infamously remembered for its collapse in the NLDS against the Cardinals. But this year feels different, which was also echoed by MacNichol. “Let’s hope that the clutch gene of this year’s team becomes the difference maker in doing what the 2011 team couldn’t — bring a World Series title back to Broad Street.”

With the Phillies almost certain to play October baseball, let’s look at who could potentially join them.

Which teams look likely to join the Phillies in the postseason?

The Dodgers still boast one of baseball’s best offenses, ranking third overall in runs scored. However, their bullpen is a certified disaster. That can create a dangerous imbalance in pitching as their “Death Star” starters can build a lead, but their relievers cannot protect it. The Milwaukee Brewers are a more conventional threat with the best baseball record of 94 wins so far, and an elite pitching staff that posted a 3.61 team ERA.

Another NL Central team, the Chicago Cubs, is also dangerous in late innings (ranks tenth with 0.54 average), and with a solid bullpen that has players like Brad Keller, Caleb Thielbar, and Aaron Civale. The New York Mets’ offense, led by Juan Soto and Pete Alonso, can explode at any time, and they are decent in late innings with 0.58, but their bullpen is also a weakness, as players like Ryan Helsley have struggled.

The San Diego Padres, too, are a dangerous competitor in late innings. Injuries have trimmed their depth, yet Xander Bogaerts nears a return from a foot fracture this month. With their bullpen experience and late punch, the Friars are a dangerous matchup for the Phillies.

Taken together, Philadelphia’s late runs really stand out against quality opponents this season. For the Dodgers, the stat exposes their most urgent fix: stop opponents after the sixth inning. Manager Dave Roberts must decide whether to reshuffle bullpen roles or rely on offense to outscore.