The Los Angeles Dodgers just stamped their ticket for a record-tying 14th straight trip to MLB’s postseason. They locked it down after a 4-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night, and get this, they barely even celebrated. Max Muncy, their third baseman, totally nailed it when he said it’s “hard to say it ever feels routine, but it is the expectation here.” Can you believe that? Most teams would lose their minds, but for these guys, it’s just another step.
Consistency is the Only Constant in LA
This isn’t just a casual win; it ties the Atlanta Braves’ insane run from 1991 through 2005 for consecutive postseason appearances. But here’s where the Dodgers blow that comparison out of the water. While those Braves made five World Series trips and only snagged one title back in ’95, Muncy was quick to point out that the Dodgers, with five trips to the Fall Classic, have already secured three titles in their current run. Yeah, they’re “doing a little bit better than that,” as he puts it. Pitcher Tarik Skubal, who threw seven shutout innings allowing only three hits in the clincher, mentioned how different this “little toast and move on” vibe was compared to his past two seasons in Detroit. It just speaks to the crazy high expectations in that clubhouse. Manager Dave Roberts, now in his 11th season, said his message to the team was simple: they’ve done a lot, but they haven’t come close to playing their best baseball yet. He’s proudest of their “consistency of winning over the long term,” especially when “guys find a way to step up” every year.
Chasing the Top Seed With Key Injuries
Right now, these Dodgers are sitting at 91-59, holding the second seed in the NL. They’re two and a half games up on Atlanta and only two games back from Milwaukee for that coveted top spot. Why does that matter so much? A first-round bye would be huge for any team, but especially for LA right now. They’re not exactly at full strength. First baseman Freddie Freeman has been battling right knee soreness, and two-time NL MVP Shohei Ohtani is on the 15-day injured list with right biceps inflammation. Roberts emphasized just how critical that week off would be for their health, saying, “Given where our guys are health wise, to get that week would be huge.”
So, while the Dodgers are already in the postseason, their focus shifts to securing that top seed and getting healthy. They’ve also cut their magic number to just three for their fifth straight NL West title, which would be their 13th in 14 seasons. They’ve clearly got “more to accomplish this season,” and you know they’re not stopping until they hit it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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