Can Dodgers get over the playoff hump?

In dramatic fashion, the Dodgers clinched the National League West for a fourth straight year last night, winning 4-3 on a 10th inning walkoff homer by Charlie Culbertson.

In Vin Scully's last broadcast at Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers earned another spot in the post season.

Now the questions come.

Can the Dodgers go deep into the playoffs or will they make an early exit?

Can Clayton Kershaw overcome his playoff woes and pitch effectively in the month of October?

Do the Dodgers have enough pitching and hitting to get past Washington and Chicago to make it to the World Series?

No one knows the outcomes, but my guess is the Dodgers will get past the Nationals. They are 5-1 against the Nats this year and Steven Strasburg, Daniel Murphy and Bryce Harper, all key pieces for Washington, are less than 100 percent with nagging injuries.

The Dodgers have been on fire in the second half and are playing with a lot of passion. Kershaw (12-3) is strong and rested and Kenta Maeda (16-9) and Rich Hill (12-5) give the Dodgers a starting rotation capable of winning each time out.

The Dodgers biggest area of improvement has been in the bullpen, where Joe Blanton, Adam Liberatore, Pedro Baez, Luis Avilan, J.P. Howell, Ross Stripling and Kenley Jansen have turned around what was the Dodgers major weak point in years past.

In addition, Dave Roberts has starters Julio Urias and Jose DeLeon ready if he needs more pitching.

Ask the Giants how important a bullpen can be.

As for Kershaw, his back injury forced him to sit for 2.5 months. He seems to be recovered and will enter the playoffs looking his dominant self.

As for hitting, the Dodgers have shown good power with Yasmani Grandal (27), Justin Turner (27), Corey Seager (26) and Joc Pederson (26) flexing the long ball.

Seager should win the Rookie of the Year award and Adrian Gonzalez, Turner, Josh Reddick, Yasiel Puig, Howie Kendrick, Chase Utley, Andrew Toles and Andre Ethier give the Dodgers a lot of options to create favorable matchups.

Puig has been a different man since being exiled to Oklahoma City and Ethier is just getting his timing back after a season-long bout on the DL with a leg fracture. Toles has emerged as a valuable tool and Reddick has warmed up since coming over in the Oakland trade.

If the Dodgers do get past the Nats they will likely face the Cubs, everyone's favorites to win it all this year.

It may be Chicago's year but they still have to win it on the field.