Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Surprised LA Clinched NL West So Early in September

Not that we're complaining.

In a year that was pegged by many analysts to be a transitional season for the Dodgers, the team's proven doubters wrong once again by clinching the division with two weeks to play in the regular season. 

Competing with a division that could send three teams to the postseason, LA skipper Dave Roberts' work for the 2023 season has been nothing short of remarkable as he reflected on the job his roster has done relative to expectations in the preseason. 

“Is it surprising where we were at, and the level of talent in our division? I think it is.”

via Fabian Ardaya, The Athletic

With many experts picking the Padres as the divisional and possibly the World Series winners before spring training, LA has simply kept its head down and worked their way to another 90 win season. 

Dealing with a slew of injuries to their pitching ranks, off the field issues and significant roster turnover from the previous season, Roberts has masterfully weathered all of these challenges to guide the team to a familiar NL West crown. 

Rookie contributions from Bobby Miller and James Outman, veteran additions in Miguel Rojas, Jason Heyward and David Peralta and superstar talents in Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman all tell the story in the record books for the 2023 Dodgers season. 

Though Clayton Kershaw is still on the roster, it's clear that he doesn't have to carry the burden anymore as the bullpen has seen a significant improvement from earlier in the season in what could be the lefty's last ride to the postseason. 

In a full team effort, LA has banded together with a chemistry unseen under this current regime to silence all doubt about who the class of the West is. 

Poised for a first round bye, the Dodgers will hope to exorcise some playoff demons and punctuate the season with another championship for Chavez Ravine.