CINCINNATI (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched their fifth consecutive NL West title and 13th in the past 14 seasons with an 8-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday.
“It’s a big deal,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I think that a lot of people think that it’s just a rite of passage (but) it's not easy. So it’s something that we’re all really proud of, but really understand that’s not the end goal.”
The Dodgers (93-60) are in the postseason for the 14th consecutive season, tying the Atlanta Braves’ record from 1991-2005.
“It’s step one,” Mookie Betts said, rubbing the bubbly from his eyes. “We’ve got a long way to go.”
The on-field celebration was muted following the final out on Thursday, but players let loose in the clubhouse where sparkling wine and beer was sprayed from the floor to the ceiling.
“I think it's one of those things where in baseball you play every day, and guys focus on performing,” Roberts said. “So there's not a lot of moments to celebrate. So it's nice to see the guys let loose a little bit.”
Despite all of their success, the players believe they still have something to prove.
The Dodgers shattered Major League Baseball’s spending record last year with a combined $515 million in payroll, leading to suggestions they have an unfair advantage.
“What we're creating here is special,” Max Muncy said. “It definitely doesn't get enough credit. Everyone points to the payroll, but we don't ever talk about how we do things the right way, how we prepare the right way, how we do all those little things. That doesn't get talked about.”
The two-time defending World Series champions are still chasing the NL's top seed, currently held by the Milwaukee Brewers. Los Angeles has a four-game lead over the Braves (89-64) for the second seed but trails the Brewers (95-58) by two games.
“We're still trying to get one of those top two seeds,” Roberts said. “I think we do a great job of celebrating, but not having it carry over. We have to get on the flight and play the Giants tomorrow.”
The Dodgers are looking to become the first team to capture three consecutive World Series championships since the Yankees did it from 1998 to 2000.
It’s the Dodgers’ fourth-earliest division clinching. They clinched the NL West on Sept. 10 in 2019, Sept. 13 in 2022 and Sept. 16 in 2023.
LA will use that time to try getting healthy. That starts with Shohei Ohtani.
The four-time MVP has been on the 15-day injured list since Sept. 8 with right biceps inflammation and told reporters earlier this month he is done pitching for the season. The two-way star took swings off a tee for the first time Tuesday and felt good. He's expected to return as a hitter before the end of the regular season, although it's unclear if he can get 100% healthy before October.
Roki Sasaki, on the IL with a blister on his middle finger, threw live BP on Wednesday in Cincinnati and it went well. Roberts said his next outing will be a start.
Blake Snell left Wednesday's start after one inning with left groin tightness. His status is uncertain.
Closer Edwin Diaz, who's been on the IL since August with neck inflammation, is expected to be activated Friday. Setup man Edgardo Henriquez is on the IL with lower back discomfort. He had an MRI in Los Angeles on Wednesday which revealed a low back strain and his rehab will be paused for a few days.
The Dodgers made the biggest splash of the trade deadline when they acquired two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal from the Tigers. Skubal is 3-2 with a 2.52 ERA in eight starts for the Dodgers.
The addition of Skubal made the Dodgers the odds-on favorites to win the World Series. After going 61-36 to start the season, the Dodgers are 32-24 since the All-Star break.
“I spoke to the guys and just really lauded them,” Roberts said. “For the fact, I think that we're the most talented team, the smartest team, the toughest team, and to enjoy this.”
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Jeff Wallner, The Associated Press
