The Los Angeles Dodgers are the champions of the National League West division for the ninth consecutive year, after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-2 on Sunday.
The Dodgers, who have the best record in baseball at 100-62, secured their spot in the postseason with a dominant performance from their ace Clayton Kershaw, who pitched seven innings of one-run ball and struck out eight batters. Mookie Betts, David Peralta, and Will Smith each hit a home run to provide the offense for the Dodgers, who celebrated their division title with champagne and confetti in the clubhouse.
The Dodgers have been the most consistent and successful team in MLB in the past decade, winning seven World Series titles, the most recent one in 2020. They are also known for breaking the baseball color barrier in 1947 with the debut of Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in the major leagues since 1884.
The Dodgers have a long and rich history that dates back to 1883 when they were founded as the Brooklyn Atlantics in New York. They moved to Los Angeles in 1958 and have played at Dodger Stadium since 1962. Some of their famous players include Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, Tommy Lasorda, Fernando Valenzuela, Kirk Gibson, Clayton Kershaw, and Mookie Betts.
The Dodgers are currently led by manager Dave Roberts and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. They have a loyal fan base and a high payroll, which allows them to attract and retain some of the best players in the game.
The Dodgers will face the Diamondbacks again in the National League Division Series (NLDS), which starts on Saturday at Dodger Stadium. They have a clear advantage over the Diamondbacks, who finished second in the NL West with an 84-78 record. The Dodgers won 12 of their 19 games against the Diamondbacks this season, outscoring them by 38 runs.
The Dodgers are aiming to win their second consecutive World Series title and their eighth overall. They have a balanced and deep roster that can compete with any team in the league. Dodgers have a potent offense that led the NL in runs scored (857), home runs (236) and OPS (.789). They have a stellar pitching staff that ranked second in the NL in ERA (3.32), strikeouts (1,522), and WHIP (1.14). Dodgers have a solid defense that committed the fewest errors (66) and had the best fielding percentage (.989) in the NL.
The Dodgers are confident and hungry for another championship. They have overcome several challenges and injuries this season, such as losing shortstop Corey Seager for two months with a broken hand, pitcher Dustin May for the season with Tommy John surgery, and outfielder Cody Bellinger for most of the season with various ailments. They have also dealt with some controversy, such as pitcher Trevor Bauer being placed on administrative leave amid sexual assault allegations.
The Dodgers are not satisfied with just winning the division. They want to make history and become one of the best teams ever. They have a tough road ahead of them, as they will have to face some of the other top teams in baseball, such as the San Francisco Giants, who won 103 games and had the best record in MLB, or the Milwaukee Brewers, who won 95 games and had the best pitching staff in MLB.
The Dodgers are ready for the challenge. They have proven themselves as a powerhouse team that can overcome any obstacle. They have one goal in mind: to win it all.
Sources:
Los Angeles Dodgers Scores, Stats and Highlights
Official Los Angeles Dodgers Website