A season that saw the Los Angeles Dodgers tie for the worst start in franchise history and at one point fall nine games behind first place in the National League West, ended in jubilation on Monday with a sixth consecutive division title.
The Dodgers and Colorado Rockies were tied atop the NL West standings after playing a full MLB season, which required a Game 163 at Dodger Stadium to determine a division winner. The loser of the game faced a flight and matchup with the Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card Game on Tuesday.
A decision to push Walker Buehler back to the one-game playoff paid off in spades as he allowed just one hit over 6.2 shutout innings. Buehler helped his cause with an RBI single and was treated to a standing ovation upon coming out of the game.
Cody Bellinger’s two-run home run in the fourth inning provided the Dodgers with a 2-0 lead. Max Muncy’s two-run blast then extended it in the fifth.
Players rushed the field after clinching the NL West and put on their celebratory t-shirts before some addressed the crowd. A team photo followed and from there it was into the clubhouse for a celebration.
Yasiel Puig was arguably the star, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was sure to involve Chase Utley in a speech before players began spraying one another. The excitement even led to Matt Kemp dousing Tommy Lasorda. Included below is a round up of the best NL West celebration highlights.
For the sixth consecutive season, the Los Angeles Dodgers are champions of the NL West. pic.twitter.com/hS1wzQz1mT
— Daniel Starkand (@DStarkand) October 1, 2018
Justin Turner, Matt Kemp and Walker Buehler (NSFW) addressed the crowd after the #Dodgers clinched the #NLWest. pic.twitter.com/p8DTfsf8Le
— Matthew Moreno (@MMoreno1015) October 2, 2018
There’s more work to be done but…tonight, we celebrate. Lead the speech, Chase! pic.twitter.com/LvfDzu15Us
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 2, 2018
Work hard, play even harder. pic.twitter.com/huOhwELM4m
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 2, 2018
How’d @buehlersdayoff do, Skip? pic.twitter.com/LecYEziX6M
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 2, 2018
🗣 Say it louder! pic.twitter.com/heruypZS2B
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 2, 2018
Puig just being Puig. 😆🍾 pic.twitter.com/Gdhof6A5FP
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) October 2, 2018
Matt Kemp interrupts Tommy Lasorda’s post-game interview pic.twitter.com/koHewk21yr
— L.A. Times Sports (@latimessports) October 2, 2018
Forget the bottles, use the trash can. #HillYes pic.twitter.com/G9FuAORCkY
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 2, 2018