The Los Angeles Dodgers have had two standout teams during their stretch of six consecutive National League West titles — first in 2013, then in 2017. The team six years ago ripped off a historic 42-8 stretch during the summer, which was then bested by the 2017 club at 43-7.
This season’s Dodgers, great as they have been, still have plenty of road ahead of them in order to match or beat either of those stretches. However, there is no denying the 2019 Dodgers closely mirror the team that led the Majors with 104 wins.
Cody Bellinger said as much after the Dodgers’ comeback and walk-off win against the New York Mets. The Dodgers had 10 walk-off wins two years ago, and are up to three this season.
There wasn’t much drama Tuesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Dodgers took a 2-0 lead in the first inning and manage to avoid three errors costing them in a 9-0 win. Following the victory, Kiké Hernandez joined the growing chorus of players who see a parallel between this season and 2017, via SportsNet LA:
“We’ve got a lot of guys swinging the bat well right now. We’re passing the baton, we’re slugging when we need to slug and we’re playing small when we need to play small. … We’re trying not to think right now too much. We’re trying to have a lot of fun. There’s a lot of guys in this locker room talking about how this team reminds them of the 2017 team, and I’m one of those guys. Coming to the field is a lot of run right now.”
Hernandez is among the several players who lead the Dodgers to their first World Series appearance since 1988 and are still with the team. However, Hernandez is enjoying a career first as an everyday player.
He built off earning the starting job at second base by beginning the season on a strong note, though went through a recent skid. The 27-year-old has turned the tide back in his favor, including a 2-for-5 effort with a home run in Tuesday’s win over the Diamondbacks.
Hernandez tied with Bellinger, David Freese and Corey Seager for the team lead with two RBI.
