The Dodgers Are NL West Champions Again, and Now They’re Eyeing a Three-Peat despite Injury Concerns

The Los Angeles Dodgers secured their fifth consecutive NL West title and 13th in the past 14 seasons with a 8-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday. Manager Dave Roberts expressed pride in the achievement, stating that it's not an easy task. Los Angeles is in postseason play for the 14th consecutive season, tying the Atlanta Braves' record from 1991-2005.

Mookie Betts acknowledged that there is still a long way to go, while Roberts believed the team still has something to prove despite their success. The Dodgers shattered MLB's spending record last year with a payroll of $515 million, leading to debates about their perceived advantage. They are currently two games ahead of the Braves (89-64) for the second seed and two games behind the Brewers (95-58) for the top seed.

Dodgers management aims to secure one of the top two seeds. The team is also focused on regaining health, starting with four-time MVP Shohei Ohtani, who is on the 15-day injured list due to right biceps inflammation. Ohtani has reportedly decided not to pitch for the season but is expected to return as a hitter before the end of the regular season.

Other injured players include Roki Sasaki (finger blister), Blake Snell (left groin tightness), and Edwin Diaz (neck inflammation). The Dodgers made a significant trade deadline acquisition of Tarik Skubal from the Tigers, who has a 3-2 ERA in eight starts for the Dodgers.