The LA Dodgers Clinched the NL West for the 8th Straight Year, but Can They Win the Title This Year?
On Sep. 22, the LA Dodgers clinched the NL West for the eighth consecutive time. That is an impressive stat. The Dodgers will have another shot to win their first World Series title since 1988.
The question is, will the Dodgers have enough to make a run in the MLB bubble this year?
The LA Dodgers have had a lot of success during the regular season in the past
There’s no question that the Dodgers have been a top team in the MLB during the regular season going back to 2013. They have dominated the NL West, and they are always a favorite to win the division. Not only did the Dodgers clinch the division this year, but they are also the top seed in the National League. The Dodgers took advantage of the shortened season and will go into the playoffs with a lot of momentum.
This franchise is no stranger to playing in the postseason. The Dodgers have won six World Series titles with their last two coming in the 1980s (1988 and 1981). Though they have had a lot of success during the regular season, that success has not been reciprocated in the playoffs. But this year could be different. The Dodgers have another talented team, and they made a big move during the offseason getting former Boston Red Sox star Mookie Betts.
Players on the Dodgers team remember what has happened to them in the playoffs in previous years, and they are determined to change that this year. A lot of eyes will be on the Dodgers during the playoffs to see how they perform.
The LA Dodgers playoff woes
It seems as though the playoffs are not friendly to the Dodgers. Last year the Dodgers lost 3-2 in the Division Series to the eventual World Series champions, the Washington Nationals. The Dodgers were looking to make their third straight appearance in the World Series in 2019, but that did not happen. In 2017 and 2018, the Dodgers represented the NL in the World Series but could not bring home the title as they lost to the Houston Astros in 2017 and the Red Sox in 2018.
It’s not often you see an MLB team reach the World Series in back-to-back seasons. That just shows how dominant the Dodgers have been in the MLB. But what do they have to show for that? You can never count the Dodgers out, though, because they always come into the season ready to play at a high-level.
The Dodgers can make a run at the title this year
With the season shortened due to the coronavirus pandemic, teams are not playing the 162 game schedule they are used to playing. That can be a good thing for a team like the Dodgers. During the 2020 season, teams only play 60 games during the regular season. That’s a tremendous decrease from the normal season. Only playing 60 games means that players won’t be worn out going into the playoffs and will still have a lot left in the tank.
For the Dodgers, they can take advantage of this. The Dodgers team players have a lot of playoff experience, which will help out a lot come next week when the playoffs start. Don’t be surprised if the Dodgers find themselves back in the World Series, and they can certainly win it this year as well.
