
The Los Angeles Dodgers have become the first time to officially clinch the 2020 MLB postseason after defeating the San Diego Padres. The Dodgers were early favorites, after a disappointing loss to the Washington Nationals that eliminated them in the 2019 National League (NL) Divisional Series.
The first squad in the postseason?
The Los Angeles @Dodgers. #CLINCHED pic.twitter.com/kymmw3xK94
— MLB (@MLB) September 16, 2020
This is the Los Angeles Dodgers eighth straight season in a row. The Dodgers are 35-15 and in first place in the NL West division and are headed back to the postseason. The implementation of the 60-game season by Major League Baseball immediately had the Dodgers as favorites for the 2020 postseason and, ultimately, World Series.
On top of that, the 2020 postseason was expanded to sixteen teams, adding some teams that usually would not make the postseason. As well as expanding the postseason, Major League Baseball has announced that there will be a playoff bubble in the 2020 season.
The Los Angeles Dodgers will be heading to the NL bubble at Globe Life Park in Arlington or Minute Maid Park in Houston. While trying to get back to the World Series for the third time in four seasons, Dodger Stadium will be used for the American League (AL) bubble.
Now, the Dodgers will look to finish the 2020 season strong and go into the postseason on a high note. They still have ten games to go, a chance for younger players like Dustin May or Tony Gonsolin to prepare for the playoffs.