Dodgers dominate D-Backs, clinch NL West for 12th time in 13 seasons

PHOENIX — A dry desert afternoon at Chase Field gave way to yet another storm of Dodger blue celebration.

With an emphatic 8-0 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday, the Los Angeles Dodgers not only notched their 90th victory of the season but also officially clinched their 12th National League West title in the past 13 years — a dynastic stretch of consistency and dominance rarely seen in modern baseball.

This was not just a win. It was a statement.

The Dodgers’ clinching moment was anchored by right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who delivered one final gem in his first MLB regular season — and his 30th start — with six scoreless innings, four hits allowed, two walks, and seven strikeouts.

Remarkably, Thursday marked the first time in September that Yamamoto allowed more than one hit in a start. Over four September outings, Yamamoto posted a microscopic 0.67 ERA, giving up just 7 hits across 27 innings with 34 strikeouts. It’s not just a hot finish; it’s a sign of a pitcher who has settled in and is ready for October.

For the Dodgers, Yamamoto represents the kind of high-end frontline arm that has eluded them in some recent postseason runs. Now, he’ll be a centerpiece.

The offense wasted no time backing Yamamoto.

Freddie Freeman got the Dodgers on the board in the second with a solo shot — his 22nd of the season, matching his total from 2024. It also marked the end of a short outing for Arizona opener Jalen Beeks, who was chased after the Freeman blast. The next pitch from reliever Nabil Crismatt was deposited into the seats by Andy Pages, who launched his 27th homer of the year and second in as many nights. Pages now ranks fifth among all National League outfielders in home runs.

Mookie Betts continued his scorching late-season form with a two-run single in the same inning. Since August 1, Betts is hitting .390 with runners in scoring position and leads the team with 29 RBIs over that span.

Then came the fourth inning — and with it, the knockout blow.

Shohei Ohtani tied his own franchise single-season home run record with his 54th bomb, a two-run blast that left no doubt. Freeman followed shortly with his second homer of the game — No. 23 on the year — pushing the lead to 8-0 and giving him a near carbon-copy stat line to his 2024 campaign.

In 145 games this year, Freeman has 23 home runs, 87 RBI, and 80 runs scored. Last season, it was 22-89-81. What’s changed is the timing — and how meaningful this clincher feels.

“It’s been a long year with a lot of grinding going on; this is special,” Freeman said postgame, drenched in champagne.

Max Muncy echoed that sentiment, hinting at the emotional weight of a season that included high expectations, key injuries, and the integration of new superstars like Ohtani and Yamamoto.

“This one feels a little bit sweeter,” Muncy said.

The Dodgers haven’t coasted to this division title. They’ve been tested. But they’ve also been defined by their depth, their adaptability, and a culture of relentless professionalism. And with 90 wins — and three games left to go — they’ve shown once again why they remain the class of the West.

The Dodgers will finish the regular season on the road in Seattle before returning to Dodger Stadium to host the NL Wild Card round starting Tuesday. Their opponent remains TBD, but with their rotation lined up and their bats humming, the Dodgers will enter October once again as a favorite — not just to make a run, but to repeat for the first time in 25 years.

The Dodgers have won 12 division titles in 13 years. 90 wins and counting. And now, a team that looks as dangerous as ever is heading into the only month that really matters.