The regular season means nothing. The playoffs are a different beast.

Unfortunately, the Dodgers are learning that the hard way as they fell to the Padres, 2-1. With the loss, LA now trails the series 2-1 and is one game away from being eliminated.

After one of the greatest seasons by a team in baseball history, we could be less than 24 hours away from seeing their season end in what could be the biggest disappointment in the history of the sport.

Runners in scoring position

During the regular season, the Dodgers were the best team in all of baseball when it came to hitting with runners in scoring position. Well, that certainly hasn’t translated into October.

On Friday night, the Dodgers went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position and stranded nine runners on base. Dating back to Gavin Lux’s RBI double in Game 1 of the series, the Dodgers are 0-for-19 with runners in scoring position since.

0 for their last 19.

I mean this when I say this. Me and 18 of you reading this article could all get some at bats in the big leagues and maybe get lucky and deliver a hit. The fact that the best offense in all of baseball is in the middle of an 0-for-19 stretch is flat out embarrassing. There’s no easy way to say it.

They’ve had countless opportunities over their last two games. On Wednesday, the Dodgers had numerous chances to drive in runs. If they just recorded one or two hits with runners on, they take a 2-0 series lead. If they just record one or two hits tonight with runners on, they likely sweep the series.

Instead, the Dodgers find themselves down 2-1. The crazy thing is, the Dodgers are getting a number of guys on base. They’re recording hits and drawing walks, but when a runner is on second or third base they look like they’re incapable of swinging the bat.

What I’ve witnessed these last two games are the two most embarrassing postseason performances I’ve ever seen from the Dodgers offense in my lifetime. With the names they have in this lineup, there are zero excuses for them to be struggling the way they are.

The pitching shoved

Well, at least once Tony Gonsolin exited the game. It was a disaster for Gonsolin, who pitched in only his second game in nearly two months. He had zero command and the Padres were attacking him. Luckily, he somehow managed to allow only one run. That is largely due to Andrew Heaney, who relieved him and helped the Dodgers escape numerous jams.

Heaney went three innings, striking out four while allowing a solo homer. That homer proved to be the difference maker in the game.

After Heaney, every pitcher that took the mound for LA was excellent. Yency Almonte struck out the two batters he faced, as he’s struck out all five hitters this series he’s faced.

Alex Vesia walked two and was pulled after 0.2 innings, but Evan Phillips came in to save the day. He struck out Manny Machado to end the sixth inning and then tossed a scoreless seventh.

Tommy Kahnle pitched a 1-2-3 eighth with a strikeout. The bullpen has been exceptional all series. It’s just the freaking offense…..

The big names need to step up

I talked about the Dodgers needing to hit with runners on base, but they need their All-Stars to step up. They’ve been non-existent this series.

Mookie Betts is hitting .182. Freddie Freeman is hitting .200. Justin Turner is hitting .100. Will Smith is hitting .231. Trea Turner is 2 for his last 10.

The big names haven’t showed up and it has cost the Dodgers. LA’s production has come from Max Muncy, Gavin Lux and Austin Barnes. If LA wants to push this series to Sunday, they’ll need their All-Stars and MVP candidates to finally show up for a game.