There was plenty of anticipation over a spirited National League West race heading into the 2021 regular season, with many expecting the San Diego Padres to challenge the Los Angeles Dodgers’ eight-year reign over the division.
While the Padres ultimately had a hand in deciding the NL West, it was because of their inability to take a series from the San Francisco Giants. As a result the Dodgers finished one game back of the Giants, who claimed their first division title since 2012. To do so the Giants needed to set a franchise record with 107 wins.
“For the regular season, I’m really proud of our guys,” manager Dave Roberts said after the Dodgers tied their franchise record of 106 wins.
“To go through what we went through and win a lot of ballgames, it was a great regular season. You have to give credit to the Giants. They had an even better regular season. As perennial, annual National League West champions as we are, they took it from us.
“I don’t think we just gave it away. Our guys didn’t waver all year. It’s not the path we planned out, but now our focus turns to Wednesday and winning a ballgame.”
The Dodgers also posted the best record for a reigning World Series champion and their 15-game home winning streak is the longest at Dodger Stadium.
L.A. went 43-13 since Aug. 1, which was the best record in baseball during that span. However, the Giants were 42-16 over that same span to keep hold of first place in the NL West.
Will Dodgers and Giants meet in postseason?
Should the Dodgers defeat the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Wild Card Game on Wednesday, that would put them into an NL Division Series matchup with the Giants.
San Francisco would boast home-field advantage, with Game 1 scheduled to take place at Oracle Park on Friday.
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