The Los Angeles Dodgers secured a seventh straight National League West title behind a franchise-record 106 wins during the 2019 season, only to suffer their earliest postseason exit in four years to the eventual World Series champion Washington Nationals.
It was a deflating loss, as the Dodgers squandered an early lead in the deciding Game 5 at Dodger Stadium and ultimately fell in extra innings. The club was denied a third consecutive trip to the Fall Classic and saw their championship drought reach 31 years.
Clayton Kershaw was perhaps most disappointed about the defeat, assuming the brunt of the blame after allowing game-tying, back-to-back home runs to Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto.
While it proved to be another disheartening end to their season, Kershaw is optimistic about the Dodgers’ outlook in 2020, as seen on SportsNet LA:
“Over the years here, it’s just, I’m thankful. I’ve said it before, not every player gets to be on a team in the position we are every single year. I’m thankful for that. I love being here, I love being part of it. It’s no fun to lose and be at the center of that. But at the same time, I’m not ready to hang up yet. I want to keep trying and keep going. The sentiment I got from the guys after, and talking to the guys after, yeah, it sucks, but we feel good about our chances and we still want to get better. It’s a good feeling, man. I think we’re right at the top of the NL again. With whatever happens between now and Spring Training or at the trade deadline, it will just make us better.”
As Kershaw points out, the Dodgers remain in an enviable position heading into the 2020 season. The organization is not only built to win in the present, but the farm system seemingly continues to blossom year-after-year as well.
While it’s been a quiet offseason in terms of roster movement, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expects that to change before Spring Training.
To this point, the club has only added Blake Treinen to the bullpen while losing Hyun-Jin Ryu and Rich Hill in free agency. A bigger transaction could ultimately come to fruition, as L.A. is often connected to Francisco Lindor and Mookie Betts in trade speculation.
Such an acquisition would only boost the Dodgers’ confidence as they look to deliver a World Series championship to the city of Los Angeles in 2020.
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