Phoenix (AP) – While the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated their 12th NL West title in 13 years, Clayton Kershaw has thought of participating in a division championship for the last time.
“This is what I’m going to miss,” said the left -hander after Thursday 8-0 victory on the Diamondbacks of Arizona. “Titching is great and I love it too, but doing that with a group of guys, all working for a collective objective, camaraderie is really special.
“You don’t understand anywhere else. There are no jobs where children aged 37 can do that. But I’m fine, I had an excellent race. ”
Kershaw, last week last week He will retire at the end of the playoffs. He won the first of 14 division titles as a recruit in 2008.
“It was very fun then and it is very fun now,” said Kershaw about the celebration.
While the Dodgers celebrated their 2013 division title by jumping in the Chase Field swimming pool behind the right field wall, they avoided the water this time – except when Shohei Ohtani struck a splash shot for its 54th Home Run.
“Win the division title, you can never take it for granted,” said Freddie Freeman, who succeeded in the match on Thursday. “We feel like we are really starting to click.”
Los Angeles, who won 90 victories for his 12th consecutive consecutive season, will play for the first time in a series of jokers since the best of three rounds was added in 2022.
“You only play this game for so long, so you only get many opportunities to do it,” said Mookie Betts. “I feel good. I really did nothing of the first half of the season, so I have a lot of rest and I am just happy to help. ”
Dave Roberts has reached the playoffs during the 10 years as Dodgers manager, nine times as the winner of the division. The World Series won last season, beating the Yankees in five games.
“It was expected. We did it, perhaps a little later that we hoped for it. But I am satisfied with the way we play,” said Roberts. “I think we are better for all adversity and we are playing our best baseball right now, what we have done before, nothing is important. It is more about trusting and playing for a championship.”
