The Los Angeles Dodgers are back in the playoffs for the thirteenth straight season, something that has almost become a yearly tradition. Yet again, they’ve found their way back into October; however, this year feels different. The team has navigated its ups and downs, and the big question now is whether they can put it all together and win another championship. Dodgers fans have seen so many seasons end in frustration, so anything less than a deep run won’t feel like enough.
The way the Dodgers finished the regular season showed why they still remain one of baseball’s most feared teams. The pitching staff looked sharp when it mattered most, and the lineup showed the kind of power and patience that make them so tough to beat.
The Kershaw Absence
One of the biggest stories is the absence of Clayton Kershaw from the Wild Card roster. It’s a bittersweet moment for fans, who appreciate everything he has done in his 18 years as a Dodger. Kershaw, a future Hall-of-Famer and the face of the Dodgers for quite some time. He is the guy fans expected to see on the mound in big games. This year, however, he was left off the Wild Card roster. Although fans are hopeful he will return to the mound for the Division Series, Championship Series, and the World Series should the team make it that far. It’s strange to imagine a Dodgers playoff run without him, and for many, it feels like the end of an era. Still, the team has leaned on younger arms and new stars, and they’ve shown they can win without relying on just one legend.
The Wild Card Challenge
Their first challenge is the Cincinnati Reds in the Wild Card Series. On paper, the Dodgers are the stronger team, with a deeper rotation, more experience, and a lineup stacked with dangerous hitters. But baseball in October isn’t about what’s on paper. The Reds are coming in hot after fighting until the very last day of the season for a playoff spot, which makes them a dangerous opponent. For the Dodgers, the key will be striking first, especially in a short series where momentum can swing on one hit or one mistake.
There’s no doubt the Dodgers have the talent to go far. Shohei Ohtani has lived up to everything fans hoped he would be and more: a superstar who can change the game with a single swing. Yoshinobu Yamamoto has also stepped up this season, proving he can be a strikeout machine and a reliable starter. The lineup as a whole is packed with players who can get on base and apply pressure to opposing pitchers. And then there’s our bullpen, which has been kind of rocky right now. With Roki back from injury and in the bullpen, there is hope that our bullpen will become stronger. If all goes according to plan and the relievers can keep doing their job and handle late-inning pressure, the Dodgers will be tough to beat.
The Unpredictability of October
October baseball is never predictable, and some say it’s the most stressful time of year. Sometimes it comes down to a defensive play that saves a run, or a pinch hitter coming through in a clutch moment. The Dodgers have learned the hard way that even great teams can get knocked out early if they don’t stay focused. That’s why this year, more than ever, the team must be locked in every single game.
As the postseason begins, the Dodgers find themselves in a familiar position: expected to win. But expectations don’t mean anything once the games start. What matters is how they perform when the pressure is highest. For a team that has built a culture of winning over the last decade, this is another opportunity to prove they can handle the spotlight. Fans know the regular season means little compared to what happens now. The Dodgers have the roster to make a run, but it’s up to them to turn all that potential into results. If they can play to their ability, they’ll have a strong chance of being one of the last teams standing.
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