Dodgers clinch fifth straight NL West title, 13th in 14 years - ESPN

CINCINNATI — The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched their fifth consecutive National League West title and 13th in the past 14 seasons with an 8-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday afternoon.

«It's a big deal,» Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. «I think that a lot of people think that it's just a rite of passage, [but] it's not easy. So it's something that we're all really proud of, but really understand that's not the end goal.»

The Dodgers (93-60) are in the postseason for the 14th consecutive season, tying the Atlanta Braves' record from 1991 to 2005.

The two-time defending World Series champions are still chasing the NL's top seed, currently held by the Milwaukee Brewers. Los Angeles came into the day with a 3½-game lead over the Braves (89-64) for the second seed but trails the Brewers (95-57).

The Dodgers are looking to become the first team to capture three consecutive World Series championships since the Yankees did it from 1998 to 2000.

It's the Dodgers' fourth-earliest division clinching. They clinched the NL West on Sept. 10 in 2019, Sept. 13 in 2022 and Sept. 16 in 2023.

L.A. will use that time to try getting healthy. That starts with Shohei Ohtani.

The four-time MVP has been on the 15-day injured list since Sept. 8 with right biceps inflammation and told reporters earlier this month he is done pitching for the season. The two-way star took swings off a tee for the first time Tuesday and felt good. He's expected to return as a hitter before the end of the regular season, although it's unclear if he can get to 100% health before October.

Roki Sasaki, on the IL with a blister on his middle finger, threw live BP on Wednesday in Cincinnati, and it went well. Roberts said his next outing will be a start.

Blake