The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated a historic moment by clinching their 13th consecutive playoff berth in Clayton Kershaw’s final regular-season home game at Dodger Stadium on Friday night. The victory over the San Francisco Giants, which saw the team secure a 6-3 win, marked a significant milestone for the franchise, tying the New York Yankees’ record for the second-longest playoff streak in major league history. Only the Atlanta Braves hold the record with 14 consecutive appearances from 1991 to 2005.
Clayton Kershaw, the legendary left-handed pitcher, delivered a no-decision in the win, pitching 4⅓ innings while allowing two earned runs on four hits and four walks, with six strikeouts. Despite his performance, Kershaw’s season came to an end as he announced his retirement after the season. Manager Dave Roberts expressed pride in the team’s achievement, emphasizing the importance of hard work and dedication to reach the playoffs.
Looking ahead, the Dodgers will face the Seattle Mariners next week as Kershaw prepares for his final regular-season start. With a strong rotation featuring Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Blake Snell, Kershaw remains optimistic about his potential role in the postseason. The team’s focus now shifts to winning the National League West, where they currently hold a four-game lead over the San Diego Padres, with a magic number of four to secure the division title.
As the Dodgers prepare for crucial matchups against the Giants in the second game of their three-game series, the team’s season continues to be a testament to their longstanding success in baseball. Despite the upcoming challenges, the focus remains on reaching the postseason and, ultimately, winning the World Series.