After going 1-for-17 with runners in scoring position on Tuesday night to delay franchise history, the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres 1-0 on Wednesday to notch their 107th win of the season. That’s a new Dodgers record. Pretty awesome.
This could be one of the best rosters ever assembled. Right now, the Dodgers are tied for 13th on the all-time single-season wins list. Four other teams have won 108; two have won 109; two have won 110; one has won 111; one has won 114; and two have won 116. With seven games left (one against the Padres and six against the Colorado Rockies), the Dodgers will more than likely cross the 110 mark.
The team’s been on this torrid pace for a while now, too, so it’s largely been expected. But fans have also acknowledged that the regular-season record will be all for naught if the Dodgers don’t handle business in the postseason.
It seems Freddie Freeman agrees, too, because he had the perfect response when asked about the achievement after Wednesday night’s game.
Believe it or not, Freeman’s never been on a 100-win team. His Braves never eclipsed 97 wins during his time in Atlanta (but will somehow do it this year). Perhaps it’s good the Dodgers, especially this group that’s been so accustomed to regular-season success, has a voice like this in the clubhouse to keep them on track for their ultimate goal.
Freddie Freeman’s response to Dodgers record-setting 107th win was perfect
This is coming from the guy who delivered the 107th win! Freeman knocked in Mookie Betts with an RBI single in the 10th inning before Tommy Kahnle shut the door on the Pads.
It’s not that the Dodgers never possessed this kind of attitude. This group of guys, from Clayton Kershaw to Max Muncy to Cody Bellinger to Chris Taylor to Justin Turner and more, has always known what it takes to win.
But a newcomer like Freeman, who just triumphed in the World Series on an 88-win team less than a year ago, very much understands the stakes. Anything can happen in October. Regular-season accomplishments are erased by playoff shortcomings. Banners are not worthy of anything less than the Commissioner’s Trophy.
Freeman’s established himself as a revered veteran voice with the Dodgers in just six months. That’s a good omen for manager Dave Roberts’ World Series guarantee, because that’s now another guy preaching about how an entirely new slate awaits on Oct. 11.
But do more and more wins along the way help? Of course. Momentum’s the name of the game. Whether it happens with 88 wins or 112 wins doesn’t matter. The Dodgers just have to keep the train rolling.
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