The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched a spot in the 2021 MLB postseason, though where in the bracket they will ultimately land remains unsettled. Their possibilities are either a ninth consecutive National League West title or spot in the Wild Card Game.
The Dodgers punched their ticket for October baseball one night after the San Francisco Giants did in what’s been a surprising season. The Giants celebrated their accomplishment on the field and clubhouse, which is more commonly seen after clinching a division or winning a postseason series.
“You know what, that hasn’t even crossed my mind yet,” answered Justin Turner when asked before Tuesday’s game if the Dodgers would follow the Giants’ lead upon qualifying for MLB postseason play.
“My first reaction — although you don’t want to take those things for granted — I don’t know if we’ll celebrate that. I don’t know if we’ll celebrate clinching a playoff spot until we know where we’re at.
“But I hadn’t thought about it yet, so don’t quote me on that. I’m not sure what we’re going to do.”
Manager Dave Roberts added: “It would be great. It’s part of a step towards accomplishing our goal for 2021, to win the World Series. To get an invitation to the dance, to the postseason, that’s the start of it.
“When that happens, how much we celebrate or acknowledge, remains to be seen. But if it does happen, I think that’s quite the accomplishment.”
Heading into the night the Dodgers needed to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks, and for two of the Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals to lose in order to clinch a spot in this year’s postseason field.
Including this season, the Dodgers have won at least 90 games 26 times since moving to Los Angeles in 1958. Only the New York Yankees (32 times) have accomplished the feat more times during that span.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers’ streak of eight consecutive NL West titles trails only the Atlanta Braves (14) and Yankees (nine) for most in a row since the divisional era began in 1969.
Roberts also has a personal record by guiding the Dodgers to an NL West title in each of his five seasons at the helm thus far. In 2019 he became the first manager in MLB history to lead his team to a division title in each of his first four full seasons.
Roberts previously joined Tommy Lasorda (1977) as the only rookie managers in franchise history to oversee the Dodgers to a division title when the Dodgers won the NL West in 2016.
2021 MLB postseason schedule and TV info
AL Wild Card Game
Tuesday, Oct. 5 (ESPN)
NL Wild Card Game
Wednesday, Oct. 6 (TBS)
ALDS
Game 1: Thursday, Oct. 7 (FS1 or MLB Network)
Game 2: Friday, Oct. 8 (FS1 or MLB Network)
Game 3: Sunday, Oct. 10 (FS1 or MLB Network)
Game 4*: Monday, Oct. 11 (FS1 or MLB Network)
Game 5*: Wednesday, Oct. 13 (FS1)
NLDS
Game 1: Friday, Oct. 8 (TBS)
Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 9 (TBS)
Game 3: Monday, Oct. 11 (TBS)
Game 4*: Tuesday, Oct. 12 (TBS)
Game 5*: Thursday, Oct. 14 (TBS)
ALCS
Game 1: Friday, Oct. 15 (Fox)
Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 16 (Fox or FS1)
Game 3: Monday, Oct. 18 (FS1)
Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 19 (FS1)
Game 5*: Wednesday, Oct. 20 (FS1)
Game 6*: Friday, Oct. 22 (FS1)
Game 7*: Saturday, Oct. 23 (Fox or FS1)
NLCS
Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 16 (TBS)
Game 2: Sunday, Oct. 17 (TBS)
Game 3: Tuesday, Oct. 19 (TBS)
Game 4: Wednesday, Oct. 20 (TBS)
Game 5*: Thursday, Oct. 21 (TBS)
Game 6*: Saturday, Oct. 23 (TBS)
Game 7*: Sunday, Oct. 24 (TBS)
World Series
Game 1: Tuesday, Oct. 26 (Fox)
Game 2: Wednesday, Oct. 27 (Fox)
Game 3: Friday, Oct. 29 (Fox)
Game 4: Saturday, Oct. 30 (Fox)
Game 5*: Sunday, Oct. 31 (Fox)
Game 6*: Tuesday, Nov. 2 (Fox)
Game 7*: Wednesday, Nov. 3 (Fox)
*If necessary
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and more!
