With their thrilling win over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday afternoon, the Los Angeles Dodgers clinched a sixth consecutive postseason berth. But unlike the past five seasons, the Dodgers appear poised for a spot in the National League Wild Card Game.
Per Stats LLC, the Dodgers are now are one of three teams in MLB history to reach the postseason in six straight years. The Atlanta Braves did so, and then some, during a remarkable 14-year run of division titles.
The New York Yankees reached the postseason in an American-League record 13 consecutive seasons from 1995-2007. Six teams have qualified for the playoffs in five straight years, with the St. Louis Cardinals the last do so (2011-15).
St. Louis was looking to qualify for postseason play for the first time since 2015 but the Dodgers eliminated them from possibly securing the second spot in the Wild Card Game.
Sunday was also their 90th win of the season, marking a sixth straight year they’ve won at least that many. The six-year streak matches the longest in franchise history, which was set by Brooklyn from 1951-56.
Los Angeles nonetheless remains a half-game back of the Colorado Rockies in the NL West standings, and would need them to lose both Saturday and Sunday to potentially set up a one-game playoff at Dodger Stadium on Monday to decided an NL West champion.
While that still hangs in the balance, the Dodgers advancing to October keeps franchise streaks alive. Prior to 2015, they had never won three straight NL West titles. After setting a franchise record last season, they’ve extended that mark to six straight postseason appearances.
