Watch: Dodgers clinch NL West with comeback win vs. Padres

The cementing win came on Thursday against the San Diego Padres, who trailed the Dodgers by three games in the division heading into the series. Los Angeles will get a bye and head straight into the NLDS on Oct. 5. 

After splitting the first two games against San Diego, the Dodgers started Walker Buehler for the potential clinch. Buehler was not an overpowering threat on the mound, only striking out one batter. However, he was able to scatter five hits and allowed only one run.

The Dodger bats were held quiet most of the game against San Diego starter Joe Musgrove. They did not have more than one base-runner through the first six innings.

Will Smith came up in the seventh inning, blasted a game-tying home run and knocked Musgrove out of the game. It was Smith’s 20th homer of the year, but only his fourth since the All-Star break.

Later in the frame, Shohei Ohtani came through in the clutch, hitting a go-ahead RBI single to put the Dodgers up 3-2. From there, the Dodgers tacked on four more runs and cruised to a 7-2 victory.

It wasn't all celebration as Freddie Freeman was injured on a play in the seventh inning. Freeman tried to avoid a tag while running first base, but rolled his ankle. He had to be helped up, but was able to limp off the field on his own.

For the Dodgers, the extra days off are crucial as they try to set their rotation and get Freeman extra rest for his ankle. The team was banking on Clayton Kershaw to be ready for the start of the postseason, but a bone spur in his toe has taken longer than expected to heal. 

Kershaw still expects to pitch in the playoffs.

"I'm not giving up," Kershaw said, according to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN. "I'm going to keep trying every day. Maybe it'll feel better one day. I'm just waiting for that day to happen."

The Dodgers will finish up the regular season in Colorado and look to clinch the best record in MLB. That would give them home-field advantage throughout the postseason.