The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated another National League West Division crown after defeating the Cincinnati Reds 8-2 on Thursday, Sept. 17.
It's the Dodgers' fifth straight NL West title and 13th in the last 14 years.
The San Francisco Giants are the only team to interrupt the streak, winning the division title in 2021.
“There are a lot of unforeseen things, but I'm proud of all the contributors,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told SportsNet LA after the game. “… It's another box that’s checked, but there’s still a lot of work to be done.”
The Dodgers' 14 straight playoff appearances is tied for the most in MLB history with the Atlanta Braves (1991-2005). The magic number to clinch a first-round bye is six.
“(We) just keep going and eliminate distractions,”
Roberts said. “(We have to) keep the blinders on.”
There are still plenty of hurdles Los Angeles will have to overcome before securing a third straight World Series title.
Only two other organizations have accomplished the feat: The New York Yankees and the Athletics. The Yankees have achieved at least a three-peat three times in their illustrious history.
The Yankees won four straight from 1936-39, five consecutive titles from 1949-1953 and most recently completed a three-peat from 1998-2000. The Athletics won three straight titles from 1972-1974.
Here's the four biggest questions facing the Dodgers as they prepare for the playoffs:
When will Shohei Ohtani be healthy?
Ohtani’s status remains uncertain as the postseason approaches, due to knee and biceps issues. He started his swing progression off a tee on Sept. 15. He could make his return to the lineup as a designated hitter as early as Sept. 23.
Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations, told reporters on Thursday that Ohtani is “progressing well.”
The two-way star is expected to return in time for the playoffs but remains unlikely to pitch this season. Despite an effort to try and get him back on the mound, he’s been unable to progress further.
The Dodgers had declared Ohtani not healthy enough to take the mound after he participated in a short bullpen session on Aug. 28 and threw close to 20 pitches.
Will Dodgers' roster age and injuries be a concern?
The average age for the Dodgers' roster is 30.6 years old, which is the highest in MLB, just ahead of the Chicago Cubs (30.4) and Atlanta Braves (30.3).
Pitcher Blake Treinen is the oldest player on the roster at 38 years old. Miguel Rojas is the next oldest at 37 years old. Rojas has already stated this will be his last season as an active player.
The Dodgers have managed to add some younger talent to the roster to help finish out the season and gain experience.
They've leaned on Josue De Paula, who was considered the team’s top prospect, to serve as the designated hitter in Ohtani’s latest absence.
The 21-year-old made his major-league debut on Sept. 11 at LoanDepot Park, becoming the youngest Dodgers player since Alex Verdugo on Sept. 2, 2017.
De Paula's bat could become a necessity depending on the status of several other veterans, including Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Kiké Hernández.
Freeman has produced big moments for the Dodgers in the World Series, but the 37-year-old's status in the days leading up to the postseason is worth monitoring. He's considered day-to-day with right knee soreness caused by patellar tendinitis.
Pitcher Edwin Diaz and outfielder Andy Pages could be inching closer to a return and could be activated during the team's upcoming homestand.
Who will make up Dodgers' pitching rotation?
The Dodgers made a big splash, acquiring Tarik Skubal ahead of the trade deadline.
Skubal, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow project as the starters for the first four games of a seven-game series.
Yamamoto has remained fairly healthy throughout the season, posting a 14-8 record with a 2.51 ERA in 27 starts.
There are injury concerns, though.
Skubal was placed on the injured list in May 2026 due to loose bodies in his left elbow that required surgery. The two-time Cy Young Award winner has produced a 10-7 record with a 2.70 ERA in 24 starts.
Snell also had loose bodies removed from his elbow that caused him to miss three months before returning in early August. He also missed some time earlier this season with shoulder fatigue. His latest start was cut short after one inning on Sept. 16 due to groin tightness.
The two-time Cy Young Award winner has a 4-1 record and a 1.86 ERA in eight starts.
Glasnow went on the 60-day injured list this season due to a lower back spasm. He returned to the rotation in late August. He did not have an opportunity to participate in the 2024 World Series run due to right elbow tendinitis, but he played a vital role in winning the title in 2025.
Who could Dodgers play in postseason?
The Atlanta Braves or San Diego Padres appear to be the Dodgers' most likely first opponent in the MLB playoffs. The Braves have gotten the best of the Dodgers this season, winning five of six games.
The Dodgers have produced better results against the Padres, winning seven of 10 games this season. The Dodgers will host the Padres for a three-game series Sept. 22-24.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The Dodgers have won the NL West again. Now what? 4 biggest questions entering playoffs
