The Los Angeles Dodgers have won the National League West in 10 of the last 11 seasons and are on track to do so once again this year.
However, unlike most other instances when the Dodgers were crowned NL West champs, they find themselves in a division race heading into the final month of the regular season.
The Diamondbacks have been on a roll since the All-Star break, tying with the San Diego Padres for an MLB-best record at 27-11. The Dodgers are right behind both teams, going 25-13 during the second half thus far.
Miguel Rojas believes the Dodgers can benefit from being in an NL West race, citing the unexpected World Series run the Diamondbacks went on last season, via Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times:
“Those teams that have to win games down the stretch to get into the playoffs, like the Diamondbacks last year, they roll into the postseason knowing how to win and how to play in those do-or-die games,” Rojas said.
“I think they have the advantage because the pressure is off, the anxiety is gone, because you’ve been playing games like that and winning them. You have the confidence you can win them.”
The Diamondbacks finished 15-13 over their final 28 games last year to sneak into the postseason as the third NL Wild Card team.
Arizona then swept the Milwaukee Brewers and Dodgers in their first two playoff matchups before eliminating the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL Championship Series to advance to the World Series.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has also acknowledged the team could gain from needing to maintain a level of sharpness during September, but he believes that ultimately will be decided with how the playoffs unfold.
Dodgers, Diamondbacks in NL West standings
The Dodgers clawing out a win in the series opener at Chase Field improved their lead in the NL West to five games ahead of the Diamondbacks.
Los Angeles still needs to win two of the next three games against Arizona to clinch the season series and head-to-head tiebreaker.
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