After getting swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League Division Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ failure to win in the postseason put them into unfortunate company in MLB history, being the team with the most wins over three seasons to fail to make it to a World Series at least once.
The Dodgers have been one of the most successful regular season teams for over a decade, having won the NL West in 10 of the last 11 seasons.
In the past three years, the Dodgers’ regular season dominance has increased, having won 100 games in three consecutive seasons. Yet, that has not translated into postseason success, resulting in a disappointing three-year historical footnote.
The Dodgers have 317 wins from 2021-2023, which is the most in MLB history over a three-year span without reaching the World Series once during that stretch.
The Seattle Mariners are second with 302 wins from 2001-2003, and Oakland Athletics are third with 301 wins from 2001-2003 as well.
In 2021 the Dodgers went 106-56, finishing one game behind the San Francisco Giants in the NL West. They defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Wild Card Game and went on to eliminate the Giants in five games in the NLDS.
But the Dodgers’ playoff run that year came to an end in the NL Championship Series at the hands of the Atlanta Braves, who were the eventual World Series champions.
In 2022, the Dodger set a franchise record with 111 wins. All that followed was getting eliminated by the San Diego Padres in the NLDS, a team that went only 89-73 during the regular season and was overmatched by the Dodgers throughout the year.
This season, the Dodgers impressively won 100 games despite an array of injuries and off-the-field distractions. They again failed to make it past the NLDS as the Diamondbacks completed a sweep.
Three consecutive dominant seasons without a World Series trip is a deflating reality for the Dodgers franchise, especially when the last two postseasons ended at the hands of division rivals.
Many, including players themselves, have wondered whether a first-round bye has affected their play.
Dodgers not not alone in 2023 MLB postseason failure
The Dodgers are not the only heavily favored team who lost early in the 2023 MLB postseason. The 104-58 Atlanta Braves were eliminated in four games by the 90-72 Philadelphia Phillies. For the Braves, it marked a second year in a row losing to their division rival whom they outperformed in the regular season.
Additionally, the 101-win Baltimore Orioles were swept by the 90-win Texas Rangers. The Rangers also knocked off the 99-win Tampa Bay Rays in a sweep during the Wild Card Series.
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