The Los Angeles Dodgers set a new franchise record with 111 wins this season but arguably will be more remembered for failing to fulfill their World Series goal.
Not only did the Dodgers come up short of winning what would have been a second World Series in the past three years, they were eliminated by the San Diego Padres in the National League Division Series.
That made the Dodgers the first team in MLB history to win at least 110 games but not reach the Championship Series.
Five of the seven teams in MLB history with a minimum of 110 wins went on to at least play in the World Series as well. The 2001 Seattle Mariners that share the all-time MLB record of 116 wins, were eliminated by the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series.
The 1906 Chicago Cubs (116 wins) lost in the World Series, 1909 Pittsburgh Pirates (110) captured the championship, as did the 1927 Yankees (110). The 1954 Cleveland Indians (111) lost in the World Series as well, but the 1998 Yankees (114) won the Fall Classic.
The 2022 Dodgers not only set a franchise wins record but led in several categories and had a historic run differential.
“Shock factor, very high. Disappointment, very high,” manager Dave Roberts said after the Game 4 loss to the Padres. “It’s crushing.
“Each guy gave everything they had all year long, and it was a tremendous season. The great thing about baseball is the unpredictability, and the tough thing about it is the same thing. Things could have gone either way today to impact the result of the game. It didn’t. We got beat in a series.
“Nothing I can say is going to make it feel any better. Obviously we didn’t expect to be in this position.”
In Game 2, the Dodgers became the first team in MLB history with three home runs, at least 15 baserunners, all nine starters to get on safely, minimum of eight players in the lineup to collect a hit, and have a man reach in every inning but only score three runs in a regular season or playoff game.
Freeman: Dodgers reminded of cruelty of October baseball
Although much of the Dodgers roster core has been together for several postseason runs, this was a first with Freddie Freeman part of the picture.
Freeman led MLB in hits and played his way into the NL MVP discussion, but also fell victim to struggling in the NLDS. Freeman did go 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI in the 5-3 loss at Petco Park.
“October baseball can be very brutal at some points, and today was one of those points.” he said. “We came back and bounced back the last two games, but they did better than us. We just didn’t get it done. I thought we had a really good team, and our regular season record showed that. They came out to play and they got us the last three games.”
Are you following Dodger Blue on Instagram? It’s the best way to see exclusive coverage from games and events, get your questions answered, and more!
