Dodgers 12, Padres 4

NOW are you starting to smell it? I'm just wondering about that sellout crowd that is coming to (they hope) watch the boys clinch tomorrow night. What happens if the boys clinch before the gates even open? The Snakes play at 11:15 our time. That game will be over around two-ish, which is FIVE HOURS before the Dodgers even take the field. Talk about anticlimax. What we learned after the game is that there will be NO team watch party at the stadium. Everybody will just arrive at the usual time. If the Snakes lose, thus clinching the title for the Dodgers, the Dodgers will save their celebration for AFTER their game with the Pods. Except that I'm guessing (Torre didn't say this, I'm just guessing) that if the Snakes lose, the Dodgers will throw something akin to a spring-training split-squad lineup out there against Jake Peavy, which means there is a good chance the Dodgers will lose. And then, after losing, they will go to the clubhouse and douse themselves with champagne. Talk about double anticlimax. What I DID learn after the game is that division title or no, the annual rookie hazing will go on as scheduled for tomorrow night's flight to San Francisco. I'm sworn to secrecy on what the costumes are going to be, but let's just say it's an eclectic mix. The veterans found a costume rental place in South Pas that was going out of business, so they loaded up. ... Dodgers go to 83-75 and, if you care, now lead the Snakes by four games with four to go. Tonight will NOT be the Dodgers' last home game of the year. The only way they can blow this now is to lose out while the Diamondbacks win out, then lose to Arizona in a one-game playoff on Monday night at Chavez Ravine, hence at least one more home game.