The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched the National League West with a win over the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday. They did so on their own accord at Great American Ball Park, though a loss by the San Diego Padres also would’ve locked up the division as well.
It’s the Dodgers’ 13th NL West title amid a streak of 14 consecutive postseason appearances, and their 24th overall. The current streak of playing October baseball is tied with the 1991-2005 Atlanta Braves for most playoff appearances in a row.
“It’s a big deal,” manager Dave Roberts said as the Dodgers sat on the doorstep of another division title. “It’s not easy. I think a lot of people think that it’s easy, it’s a rite of passage. It’s hard to win a division when everyone’s gunning for you.
“To keep guys motivated to play the course of 162 (games). It’s something we’re all really proud of, but really understand that that’s not the end goal. But like I mentioned the other night when we clinched a postseason berth, you’ve got to celebrate those moments. And then turn the page and look forward.
Although the Dodgers had their streak of consecutive NL West titles snapped at eight by the San Francisco Giants in 2021, the franchise nevertheless is in the midst of a historic stretch.
In 2016, the Dodgers became the first team in MLB history to win the NL West in four consecutive seasons since the Divisional Era began in 1969. The Dodgers’ eventual streak of eight NL West titles trailed only the Braves (14) and New York Yankees (nine) for most division titles in a row since 1969.
During that span, manager Dave Roberts set a record by guiding the Dodgers to an NL West title in each of his first five seasons. In 2019, Roberts became the first manager in MLB history to lead his team to a division title in each of his first four full seasons.
Roberts previously joined Tommy Lasorda (1977) as the only rookie managers in Dodgers history to lead the team to the division title. Earlier this year Roberts became the latest Dodgers manager to reach 1,000 career wins.
This also marks the 13th consecutive full season the Dodgers have won at least 90 games. That broke a tie with the Yankees for most consecutive 90-win seasons in MLB history. The last time the Dodgers failed to reach 90 wins in a full season came in 2012.
Moreover, the Dodgers also now hold the NL record with 16 consecutive winning seasons.
What’s next for Dodgers after clinching NL West?
At minimum, the Dodgers have guaranteed themselves a top three seed in the NL postseason bracket. They currently are No. 2, which would come with a first-round bye.
The Dodgers’ magic number for a top-two seed is six. They currently are four games ahead of the Braves, and need to finish with a better record due to not having the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Dodgers NL West clinch dates
Sept. 19, 2013; Game 153
Sept. 24, 2014; Game 159
Sept. 29, 2015; Game 157
Sept. 25, 2016; Game 156
Sept. 22, 2017; Game 154
Sept. 1, 2018; Game 163
Sept. 10, 2019; Game 146
Sept. 22, 2020; Game 55
Sept. 13, 2022; Game 141
Sept. 16, 2023; Game 147
Sept. 26, 2024; Game 159
Sept. 25, 2025; Game 159
Sept. 17, 2026; Game 153
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