The Dodgers are chasing the San Francisco Giants in the NL West. They caught their rival in one big way by becoming the second team in the majors to clinch a postseason berth.
Max Muncy, Trea Turner and Will Smith homered in an 8-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night that was their fifth in a row.
The Giants had locked up a playoff spot a night earlier. The Dodgers secured their ninth consecutive postseason appearance with their eighth straight home win and help from Cincinnati and San Diego, which both lost. The defending World Series champions got it done at home, where their 51-23 record leads the majors.
“It’s definitely something that shouldn’t be taken for granted,” third baseman Justin Turner said. “At the same time, our focus is on us and taking care of what’s in front of us. That’s probably why I didn’t even realize we had a chance to clinch tonight.”
