The Los Angeles Dodgers are officially back in the postseason, clinching their spot with a win over the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night at Great American Ball Park. This isn’t just another trip to October; that victory secured their 14th consecutive postseason berth, tying a major league record that stretches back every single year to 2013.
The Man Behind Two Dynasties
You want to talk about wild? This incredible streak by the Dodgers covers every single full season since Guggenheim Baseball Management took over the team. But here’s the kicker: Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten was also the president for almost the *entirety* of the Atlanta Braves’ historic 14-year postseason run from 1991 to 2005. That Braves’ run was interrupted only once, by the infamous 1994 strike that canceled the postseason and World Series. Back then, on August 12, 1994, the Braves were sitting pretty with the second-best record in the National League at 68-46, only trailing the Montreal Expos. Kasten has been at the helm for basically two decades of unparalleled baseball consistency, which is just insane when you think about it.
Evolving Formulas for Constant Winning
Kasten himself weighed in on comparing these two powerhouse franchises. He noted that “The eras were different. Our game was really different. Our managers were different guys, they have very different styles.” What really stood out to him, and what makes these runs so fascinating, is how both teams found different ways to win year after year. “One year they had great pitching, another year they had great hitting, another year they had great defense. This team is the same. It changes its formula to win,” Kasten said. This wasn’t some static blueprint. Both franchises were built on an “aggressive use of all forms of acquiring talent,” meaning they drafted, traded, and signed free agents. The Braves started with a low payroll and ramped it up, keeping their stars. The Dodgers, meanwhile, have been consistently at the top of the payroll rankings, year after year.
A Look at the Numbers
The stats back up Kasten’s claim about evolving formulas. The Braves, for example, had an ERA- (earned run average adjusted for park and league) that ranked first in the league five times during their run, showing their pitching dominance. Their wRC+ (weighted Runs Created Plus, an offensive stat) only cracked the top 10 three times. Contrast that with the Dodgers, who, from 2013-2026, were first in wRC+ four times and first in ERA- four times. Their 2022 team was truly dominant, leading the league in both wRC+ and ERA-. This 2026 Dodgers team, through September 13, ranks 2nd in wRC+ and 6th in ERA-, showing they are still finding ways to get it done. It’s a masterclass in sustained excellence, no matter how the game changes.
So, the Dodgers are back in the postseason, and now they’ve truly etched their name in the record books. Can they keep this insane consistency going next year and break the record? The baseball world is watching. This isn’t just a win; it’s a testament to long-term vision and adaptability, setting a standard for every other team in the league.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by True Blue LA.
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