Since 1969, when MLB introduced the League Championship Series as part of the postseason, the Dodgers have played in the NLCS a total of 17 times. That’s good for the most in NL history and ranks second all-time behind the New York Yankees (19).
The Dodgers appeared in the NLCS for the eighth time in the last 13 seasons (2013, 2016-2018, 2020-2021, 2024-2025). This was their 5th pennant since 2017. That means since 2017, the Dodgers have been in the WS more than not.
The Dodgers organization won their 1st NL pennant as the Brooklyn Bridegrooms in 1890. The Brooklyn Superbas and Brooklyn Robins won two pennants each from 1899 to 1920. The Brooklyn Dodgers won their first pennant in 1941, and proceeded to win 6 other titles through 1956. The Los Angeles Dodgers have now won 14 pennants. That is 26 pennants, most in the NL History. The World Series was first played in 1903, and the Brooklyn Robins played in 2, Brooklyn Dodgers played in 7, and this will be the 14th WS for LAD, for a total of 23.
The Dodgers are tied for 5th in MLB and 2nd in NL with 8 WS Championships. The Cardinals have 11 as the top WS Champions in NL History. Of course everyone is dwarfed by NYY and their 27 WS Championships. When the Dodgers win this year for the 9th time, they will tie the Red Sox and the A’s.
It was a relatively rough season for the Dodgers. They lost season series to ten teams, including 3 season sweeps: Houston 0-3, LAA, 0-6, Milwaukee 0-6. They lost six season series to NL teams (Cubs, Milwaukee, NYM, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis) and four season series to AL teams (Baltimore, Boston, Houston, and LAA).
So when did the switch flip for LAD this year? How about the missed no-hitter turned into a loss game against Baltimore.
“I think it was a perfect time because that was devastating,” Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas said. “It was heartbreaking losing that game when Yamamoto was one pitch away from a no-hitter and then losing that game against a team that’s not even in contention. You start thinking, ‘What’s wrong with us?’”
Since that game, the Dodgers were 15-5 in the regular season, and with a 9-1 post season record, they are 24-6 since then. They lost one series, to Philadelphia, which they certainly responded well to in the NLDS. They lost 6 games to 0 wins against Milwaukee in July and responded with a 4 game monster sweep over the Brewers in the NLCS.
Milwaukee had the 3rd best batting average and 2nd best OBP in MLB. Against the Dodgers in the NLCS – .118/.191/.193/.384.
I preached in July to be patient. Unlike in previous years, this team was built for October. Freddie, Mookie, and Shohei were not as bad as they played in June and July.
- Freddie – .226/.304/.312/.616, 2 HR
- Mookie – .247/.312/.355/.667, 3 HR
- Shohei – .236/.348/.533/.881, 16 HR
- Michael Conforto was in a season long slump that continued well into August.
- Max Muncy was their hottest hitter heading in July, was injured on July 2, and was out the rest of the month.
- Teoscar Hernández was still bothered by a groin injury that impaired his defense as much as his offense.
- Kiké Hernández read that the calendar had not yet turned to October.
- Tommy Edman was still nursing a bad ankle.
The starting pitching was decimated and was left with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Clayton Kershaw, Dustin May, and Shohei/Piggyback for their rotation. Tyler Glasnow returned in July for four starts. Emmet Sheehan and bullpen games filled in from there.
Blake Snell was called a bust. Same with Tanner Scott, Kirby Yates, and Michael Conforto. I think we have learned that Blake Snell was the best FA pitcher signed for 2025. Yates and Conforto are done as Dodgers. And while Scott may or may not return for the WS, he will be back in 2026, and I expect a different Tanner Scott.
I have zero idea what happened at the trade deadline when it came to OF and RP. I know others disagree, but IMO, the Dodgers did not have a chance to trade for Mason Miller or Jhoan Duran. They settled on RHRP Brock Stewart who was lethal against RH hitting. But he was injured and did not get a chance to show what he could do as a Dodger.
Could the Dodgers have traded for Ramón Laureano instead of Alex Call? Maybe. But maybe, Baltimore wanted to include Ryan O’Hearn in that deal, and the Dodgers were not interested and did not have time to flip him. It does not matter. The Dodgers got Alex Call, and they are not unhappy with that decision one bit.
But we did get this from Alex Call right after he was traded.
We have learned that several MLB owners are upset that the Dodgers are ruining baseball. Have nothing to base it on, but how many of those teams will not trade high profile MLB players to the Dodgers without an exorbitant overpay? Something to think about going into the Winter Hot Stove League.
Whether fans disagree, Doc trusts Blake Treinen. So while many questioned Doc’s judgment in bringing in Treinen, it worked. So for the squeamish, when Blake is called upon, take a potty break, take a walk around the block, get up and get a beverage, or whatever you need to do while he is pitching.,
This has been a great ride for the 1st 173 games. Now they are down to the last series where they need to win 4 games. Seattle or Toronto? The ALCS is going 7 games, so we will have to wait through Monday to find out. I want Seattle, but Toronto looks awfully tough at home.
After watching the Ms/Tononto game tonight I think if Seattle somehow makes it to the WS the Dodger starters could eat them for lunch. Apparently you don’t have to throw a strike to most of them and they swing and miss. Raleigh seems worn out. Toronto would definitely be more of a challenge.