Spendthrifts, the Los Angeles Dodgers still have the goal of winning the World Series.
In 2022 and 2023, their road ended in the second round. Led this time by Shohei Ohtani, they try their luck again.
It was loud in the Dodgers locker room after they knocked off the Mets to win a record 25th NL title.
“We hope we can celebrate again,” said infielder Max Muncy. We need four more victories.”
The final round rivals will be the New York Yankees starting Friday at Dodger Stadium. Two of the most prestigious teams in baseball will oppose each other.
“The fans are delighted and so are the players,” said Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández. It won’t be easy, but we have what it takes and we will try to win the trophy.
Eight of the 11 World Series between these two teams have been won by the Yankees.
The Dodgers have a large audience in Japan, given the presence in their ranks of Ohtani and pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
The Dodgers allocated Ohtani a record $700 million over 10 years; Yamamoto got a $325M contract for 12 years.
This year, Ohtani became the first player in major league history to have 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season.
The Dodgers overcame numerous injuries that decimated their rotation.
They led the majors with 36 injured list cases and 2,342 days lost, 445 more days than any other team.
The team still finished with the best record in baseball, 98-64.
“We stayed united and everyone contributed,” Hernández said. Shohei played a big role, but the pitchers and relievers also had a huge impact.”
In the second round, the Dodgers won the final two games against San Diego, eliminating the Padres in five games.
“The guys proved to themselves how tough they are,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
The Dodgers are down to three healthy starters. Since the start of the series, they have relied on the bullpen three times to start a game.
The strategy yielded two wins including the decisive victory against the Mets on Sunday.
The club acquired Tyler Glasnow, but he suffered an elbow injury in mid-August.
Two weeks later, Clayton Kershaw, who was recovering from elbow surgery, saw his season end due to a big toe injury.
Dustin May never pitched this season and Tony Gonsolin was rehabbing after Tommy John surgery.
Walker Buehler has had some trouble, in his case returning from a second Tommy John surgery.
Star first baseman Freddie Freeman and shortstop Miguel Rojas missed games due to injuries.
“I’m going to enjoy it, no matter how much I’ve helped,” said Kershaw, the longest-serving player on the team.
The Dodgers acquired starter Jack Flaherty, reliever Michael Kopech and versatile Tommy Edman in July. The latter produced 11 runs against the Mets, which earned him the title of most valuable player of the series.
Batting fourth on Sunday, Edman responded with four RBIs.
“I bet on players I trust. I put them in the best position to succeed and I live with the consequences, Roberts said. The players have made me look very good since the start of the playoffs.”
