The Los Angeles Dodgers have won eight World Series in franchise history but are playing a Wild Card scenario for only the third time since the MLB postseason first introduced it in 1994 as part of realignment to three divisions in each league.
Because of a players’ strike that year, MLB’s new playoff format with a Wild Card team did not debut until October 1995.
The single-elimination Wild Card Game was expanded in 2012 to feature two teams going head-to-head, and it permanently switched to a short series in 2022.
The 2025 season is the third year under MLB’s current expanded playoff bracket to 12 teams that qualify. With that, the third-place division winners and three Wild Card are seeded to meet in an opening round that’s a best-of-three.
Dodgers Wild Card history
This year is the third time in Dodgers postseason history they are part of a Wild Card scenario.
2025 NL Wild Card Series
The Dodgers won their 12th National League West title in the last 13 seasons, but uneven performances throughout the year contributed to not finishing with a top-two record among division champions.
As a result, the Dodgers begin their quest to repeat as World Series champions by hosting a Wild Card Series at Dodger Stadium. Game 1 against the Cincinnati Reds is on Sept. 30, and Game 2 is scheduled for Oct. 1. If necessary, Game 3 of the Wild Card round would be played Oct. 2.
2021 NL Wild Card Game
Despite winning 106 games, which was a franchise record at the time, the Dodgers finished behind the San Francisco Giants in the NL West standings and faced the prospect of their historic season coming to a sudden end in the Wild Card Game.
With a single-elimination format back in place, the Dodgers hosted the St. Louis Cardinals and needed a Chris Taylor walk-off home run to advance.
The Dodgers then eliminated the Giants in a thrilling NLDS that went all five games, but seemingly hit a wall as they were eliminated by the Atlanta Braves in the next round.
2020 NL Wild Card Series
The Dodgers’ first appearance in a Wild Card scenario was very much a matter of circumstance. Due to playing a shortened season in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, MLB and the Players Association agreed to an expanded playoff bracket that now closely mirrors the format in place.
One key difference, however, was all 16 teams began their respective postseason appearances by playing a best-of-three Wild Card Series. Whereas the current MLB playoff format calls for the top two division winners in each league to receive a first-round bye.
After finishing with the best record at 43-17, the Dodgers swept the Milwaukee Brewers. It was capped off by Clayton Kershaw collecting 13 strikeouts over eight scoreless innings in Game 2.
The Dodgers went on to win their first World Series since 1988.
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