Dodgers clinch playoff berth
The Los Angeles Dodgers are going to the postseason for the second straight season and sixth time since 2003. With San Francisco still close to them in the NL West, the division isn't clinched yet, but the Dodgers have clinched at least a wild-card berth by virtue of Friday's win over the Cubs teamed with the Brewers' loss in Pittsburgh.
After going 92-70 on the strength of a ridiculous run from mid-June on last season, the Dodgers entered 2014 a heavy favorite in the NL West and a World Series favorite for some. They haven't disappointed to this point, as they sit with an 88-66 record. Only Washington has a better record in the NL.
A well-rounded club, the Dodgers rank in the top third in the NL in most hitting and pitching categories. They have a surefire Cy Young winner in Clayton Kershaw and he might even win the NL MVP. He's not doing it all alone, though, with Adrian Gonzalez's 100-plus RBI, Matt Kemp's power resurgence, Yasiel Puig's dynamic talent, Hanley Ramirez's good -- though unspectacular -- season, Dee Gordon's amazing speed, Zack Greinke's fine season, Hyun-Jin Ryu's quality work and Kenley Jansen's stellar strikeout rate at the back-end of the bullpen all lending hands in the team effort.
The Dodgers have the look of a tough out in the postseason, but their work is far from over at this point, as they still need to nail down that NL West. They have a three-game series against the Giants remaining, too.
For now, though, the Dodgers can celebrate a little. They're definitely going to the postseason.
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