The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched a spot in the 2024 MLB postseason bracket and moved closer to wrapping up the National League West title as well.
They joined the Milwaukee Brewers (NL Central champions) and New York Yankees (postseason berth) as teams to secure playoff spots so far this year.
The Dodgers are scheduled to play October baseball for the 12th year in a row. Prior to this current stretch, they had not reached the playoffs more than two years in a row.
Although the Dodgers had their streak of consecutive NL West titles snapped by the San Francisco Giants in 2021, the franchise is in the midst of an impressive run of sustained success.
In 2016, the Dodgers became the first team in MLB history to win the NL West in four consecutive seasons since the Divisional Era began in 1969. That record ultimately was extended to eight in a row. Overall, the Dodgers trailed only the Atlanta Braves (14) and New York Yankees (nine) for the longest streak of division titles since 1969.
Meanwhile, this year is also the 11th consecutive full season the Dodgers have won at least 90 games.
The last time the Dodgers did not reach a minimum of 90 wins in a full schedule was 2012, when they won just 86 games. From 2005 to 2012, the Dodgers won 90 or more games just once, which came during the 2009 season when they reached 95.
The only year the Dodgers didn’t win 90 games during their current postseason streak came during the shortened 2020 season when they went 43-17. That amounted to a franchise-best .716 winning percentage that translated to a 116-win pace for a full season.
Dodgers postseason berth: what’s next?
Still within grasp for the Dodgers is not only the NL West title but also the best record in baseball. L.A. also is attempting to remain ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers for at least the No. 2 seed, which would guarantee a first-round bye in the postseason rather than needing to win a Wild Card Series.
The Dodgers’ magic number for the NL West is down to six.
Shohei Ohtani’s postseason drought ends
With the Dodgers at worst guaranteed a Wild Card spot, Shohei Ohtani is officially set to play postseason baseball for the first time in his career.
Ohtani recently expressed his excitement over the likelihood of getting to experience October baseball, which he’s doing so after an MLB record of most regular season games among active players before a postseason appearance.
Ohtani currently has played is 866 games without being in the playoffs, which is ahead of Jeimer Candelario (858 games) and Bryan Reynolds (785).
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