The LA Dodgers have won a whopping 10 district championships in the past 11 seasons. How does it feel to be ranked first like eating a meal?
The LA Dodgers won 6-2 in overtime in the second game of the 2023 Major League Baseball Seattle Mariners three-game away game held at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington, USA on the 17th (Korean time).
The Dodgers reached the peak of 90 wins (57 losses) in the season and were confirmed to win the National League West Division regardless of the results of the remaining 15 games. This is the district championship for the second consecutive year following last year, and over the past 11 years since 2013, the team has won the district title a whopping 10 times, excluding 2021.
The road to victory was not smooth. They were unable to decide the game during the regular innings against Seattle, which was aiming for the American League wild card. For the Dodgers, after starter Clayton Kershaw left 4 scoreless innings, rookie Emmett Sheehan showed off a perfect pitch in 3 innings, allowing 1 hit and 5 strikeouts, while Seattle’s bullpen also showed a salty performance after rookie Bryce Miller, who started as a starter, went 5⅓ scoreless innings.
The Dodgers finally broke the balance of 0 in the top of the 10th inning with no outs on second base, Chris Taylor’s exquisite infield hit and James Outman’s bases loaded with one out, and pinch hitter Colton Wong’s sacrifice fly to right field. However, in the bottom of the 10th inning with two outs and two on base, he hit a timely hit with an RBI against Mike Ford, and the score was tied again.
The Dodgers’ batting lineup showed strength again. With no outs in the top of the 11th inning, second baseman Freddie Freeman struck out, but following Will Smith’s 4th pitch, Max Muncy took the lead with an RBI single and a timely hit. Afterwards, with the bases loaded due to Amed Rosario’s walk, Chris Taylor and Kique Hernández hit two RBIs and timely hits to seal the game.
After the game, the Dodgers held a party to celebrate their district victory in the clubhouse. After putting on their winning t-shirts, they hugged each other, popped champagne, and enjoyed the joy of winning for the second year in a row.
Manager Dave Roberts, who led the Dodgers to their 7th district championship since taking office as head coach in 2016, said, “Winning the division is always special. And this year, the meaning is even more special because we won the championship ourselves. “Tonight we deserve to celebrate with each other and our fans.”
He added, “Things are different every year, but winning the district championship is the most thrilling moment in my career as a coach. “The players really played a big role,” he said, adding, “Watching the players celebrate, pull together, and sacrifice each other makes my life as a coach more enjoyable.” 스포츠토토
The players also attached special meaning to winning the district championship for two consecutive years. Kershaw, who rejuvenated with 12 wins this year, said, “We have to accept and enjoy the result of winning. “I say this every year, but it is not a given,” said Freddie Freeman, who became the main hitter two years after transferring, “The Dodgers are the most special team I have ever played for. “I really had a great time this year and had a fun experience,” he said with a smile.
The Dodgers, who have settled in the National League Division Series, will attempt to win their 8th World Series in 3 years since 2020. Since 2020 was a shortened season due to COVID-19, attention is being paid to whether the team will be able to show off its status as the strongest team once again in the full-time season.