I remember a time a couple of months ago I didnt understand if we were going to have a season. Now fast forward, to be crowned NL West champs once again, its something a lot of individuals expect, however it ought to never be taken for granted.
” Truth be told, there were some guys who didnt even know we had a chance to clinch tonight,” said Dave Roberts, supervisor of the last 5 editions of this dynasty.
– Box score
Its become as much a part of the Dodgers schedule as Opening Day, clinching a National League West title Tuesday night for the eighth successive year with a 7-2 win over Oakland– although this one resembled no other in a year like no other.
Cardboard cutouts rather of
Cardboard cutouts rather of fans. Champagne toasts rather of showers.
Its ended up being as much a part of the Dodgers schedule as Opening Day, clinching a National League West title Tuesday night for the 8th consecutive year with a 7-2 win over Oakland– although this one resembled no other in a year like no other.
– What comes next? Dodgers postseason FAQ
They have the very best record in baseball, the No. 1 seed through the NL Championship Series– consisting of in the best-of-three Wild Card Series that opens next Wednesday at Dodger Stadium– and theyve lost just one series all year. Just the Braves (14) and Yankees (9) have won more successive department titles.
Despite the fact that the Dodgers were heavy favorites all along to do this, as Roberts pointed to, 7 successive early removals and a 32-year famine because the franchise last won the World Series informs them theres a long road ahead.
– How they got there: LAs 8th straight berth
” But theres a lot to be pleased with. Guys continued to win baseball games and remained together,” he stated. “Ironically, its made our group even closer.”
” They all feel great, however this one is a little bit various,” stated Chris Taylor, who hit one of four Dodgers home runs. “This is probably the most total team Ive ever been on. Were going to enjoy this, however this isnt it for us.
Roberts said this division title is special since of the broader context of the season– the social and pandemic justice concerns, most notably. He said the subdued celebration as the game ended was partially due to the fact that it was one predicted step, and partly trying to be responsible and “not getting too over-the-top insane.”
– Justin Turner scratched with hamstring pain
A healthy Corey Seager, who homered Tuesday, was right behind Betts as a group MVP runner-up.
” They won seven times before me,” stated Betts. “I simply come in here and do my role. This is step one.”
Kershaw recovered quickly and, with increased speed, restored Cy Young kind. Rookies Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May (Tuesday nights winner) entered the rotation. Will Smith grew overnight, AJ Pollock recovered from COVID-19 to win an everyday task and Taylor continued to be one of the most underappreciated stars in the video game.
Betts reacted to signing a $365 million extension with MVP production which, of course, he minimized.
While the Dodgers ended up being frustrating favorites when they obtained Mookie Betts and David Price, the latters decision not to play was a blow to a rotation that had actually enabled veterans Hyun-Jin Ryu, Kenta Maeda and Rich Hill to leave. Beginners Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler and Alex Wood hung out on the hurt list; ruling MVP Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy and Joc Pederson have actually withstood season-long batting slumps; and top possibility Gavin Lux has actually been disappointing.
” Its been a rough stretch,” stated Muncy, who homered against his former group. “But its not about me, it has to do with this team and us being able to clinch simply magnifies that. Baseballs a hard sport and 2020 is a hard year. Both of those things clashing together, its been unusual and weird, however thankfully Im on the best group in baseball and the funnest team on top of that.”
” We never stopped, never ever quit,” stated Seager. “We talk about remaining in the moment, and this team has actually done an amazing job being in the minute, and it shows, losing only one series, even in a 60-game season. Its been quite enjoyable viewing this group play.”
– Playoff strategies for Pederson, Taylor, Pollock, Lux, Urías
“We talk about being in the minute, and this group has actually done an incredible task being in the minute, and it shows, losing only one series, even in a 60-game season. Will Smith matured overnight, AJ Pollock recovered from COVID-19 to win a daily task and Taylor continued to be one of the most underappreciated stars in the game.
Ken Gurnick has covered the Dodgers for MLB.com given that 2001.
Pollock, who also homered on Tuesday, echoed the postgame theme of a team bonded by the unusual circumstances of 2020.
” They all feel good, however this one is a little bit various,” said Chris Taylor, who hit one of four Dodgers home runs. Baseballs a tough sport and 2020 is a difficult year. This is step one.”
” Were on the field and the [piped in] crowd is going nuts and you look at each other and its like, were the only ones here,” he stated. “Going through something this strange, you need to really like the guys next to you.”
