The Los Angeles Dodgers, baseball’s modern dynasty, just got completely shut down. They suffered a shocking four-game sweep in the National League Championship Series at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers, ending their bid for a World Series three-peat and their chance at a tenth franchise title this year. This isn’t just another elimination; it feels different, more substantial, hinting at big forward-looking questions for the game’s flagship franchise.
The Bill Is Coming Due For LA’s Dominance
For years, the Dodgers have been in a league of their own. We’re talking three World Series titles in the last six years, 13 of the last 14 NL West crowns, and an insane 14 straight playoff appearances. Over the last decade, they racked up six 100-win seasons, and if 2020 was a full 162-game schedule, it would’ve been seven with their ridiculous 43-17 pace. They’ve outscored opponents by a cumulative 2,102 runs over the last 10 seasons, which makes the Houston Astros’ +1,376 since 2017 look like small potatoes. They didn’t just top their competition; they overwhelmed them. This is what a true dynasty looks like. But now, after getting swept, that dynasty is in serious jeopardy. Their last elimination loss before this was Game 3 of the 2023 NLDS, but this time, the feeling is definitely different.
Aging Stars And Heavy Wear Are Catching Up
So, what’s really going on with LA? The big red flag is their age. This season, the Dodgers fielded the oldest crop of position players in all of MLB, averaging 30.9 years. A bunch of their core guys are hitting that age where a real decline isn’t just possible, it’s likely. Take Freddie Freeman, he’ll be 37 in 2027. Max Muncy? He’ll be 36 that same year. Mookie Betts just turned 34. Teoscar Hernández also hit 34 on Thursday. Even Will Smith, who turns 32 in March, is a catcher, and we all know how fast those guys age. And then there’s Shohei Ohtani. Sure, he’s only 32, which isn’t concerning for a future Hall of Famer usually, but nobody in baseball has had more wear, tear, and fatigue piled on them over the past several years than the two-way superstar. This is just the inevitable cost of how the Dodgers have built their team: aggressively through free agency, trades, and long-term extensions. It’s paid off massively, no doubt, but eventually, the bill comes due, and it’s in the form of high-salary stars who are on the wrong side of their careers.
This sweep stings, and it’s got everyone in baseball wondering if we’re watching the final chapter of one of the greatest runs in MLB history. What does this mean for next year and beyond for LA? It’s a huge question mark.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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