Call to the pen
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Pressure is now on for Los Angeles Dodgers

By David Hill

SAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers (R) is congratulated by Max Muncy #13 as Trea Turner #6 looks on after he hit a grand slam during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres September 11, 2022 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers (R) is congratulated by Max Muncy #13 as Trea Turner #6 looks on after he hit a grand slam during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres September 11, 2022 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /
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Let’s head back in time to 2012. The Los Angeles Dodgers finished second in the NL West with a 86-76 record, eight games out of first. That was also the last time that the Dodgers failed to reach the postseason.

That streak will continue in a day or two. It is essentially a given that the Dodgers will return to the postseason, barring the type of collapse that would make the 1978 Red Sox or the 1964 Cubs point and laugh. It will be a decade of playoff appearances; it is just a matter of that becoming official.

Pressure is on Los Angeles Dodgers come October

The truly impressive part of this run is that the Dodgers have not backed in during any of those years. They won the division each year aside from 2021, when their 106-56 record was the second best mark in the majors, setting a franchise record for wins in a season.

That mark could fall this year. The Dodgers would only need to post an 11-12 record down the stretch to surpass that mark and could easily surpass the 110 win barrier as well. Even the major league record of 116 wins is possible, although the Dodgers would need an impressive 20-3 record down the stretch.

It is easy to say that the Dodgers have purchased their success. Ownership is not afraid to spend money as evidenced by their contracts with Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. However, they have also been able to supplement that core with a farm system that has produced the likes of Tony Gonsolin, Julio Urias, and Will Smith. But none of that means anything at this point.

There is because there is one piece missing from this run. The Dodgers have captured just one World Series, taking home the title in the pandemic shortened 2020 campaign. While there have been questions about some of their defeats, especially in 2017, they need another title. The division titles and postseason appearances are nice, but the pressure is on to win another championship. Otherwise, they are this generation’s version of the Braves.

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The Los Angeles Dodgers run of postseason appearances has continued. Now the pressure truly begins as they need another championship.

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