After demolishing the lovable Cubs 14-5 in Wrigleyville earlier today in support of Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers have clinched a playoff berth following the Brewers' 4-2 loss to the Pirates. Pittsburgh's Russell Martin hit a three-run home run to give the Bucs the lead over Milwaukee in the bottom of the eighth at PNC Park.
Dodgers clinch playoff spot with Brewers’ loss
Clayton Kershaw wins his 20th in Chicago, allowing the Dodgers to clinch a playoff berth with Milwaukee’s loss against Pittsburgh on Friday night.
Jonathan Daniel
The Dodgers are the fourth team to guarantee themselves a spot in the postseason, along with the division-winning Nationals, Orioles and Angels. Los Angeles has a three-game lead over the Giants with eight games left. Although the Dodgers took a little while to get going this season as they struggled through injuries to their pitching staff, they've largely held off their most-hated rivals and seem poised to make good on their league-leading payroll.
It certainly doesn't hurt that part of the bill includes surefire Cy Young winner and likely NL MVP, the aforementioned Kershaw. Even after missing five weeks earlier this year, the dominant lefty has put on one of the great season-long pitching performances of all time, with a 1.80 ERA, 228 K's and a 0.86 WHIP. He has been the difference for L.A. in the home stretch.
Kershaw didn’t have his best game, as he went just five innings and allowed three runs on seven hits, but it was enough to earn him his 20th win of the season. He was obviously buoyed by a Dodgers offense that, along with a healthy pitching staff, has led the team to at least the playoffs, and likely the NL West title.
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