On September 25, 2025, the Los Angeles Dodgers once again stamped their dominance on the National League West, clinching the division title with a resounding 8–0 shutout over the Arizona Diamondbacks. It marks yet another chapter in their multi-year reign: their 12th NL West crown in 13 seasons.
But this season’s path was not without its bumps — the Dodgers had to navigate slumps, injuries, bullpen questions, and mounting expectations. Let’s break down how they got here, what tilted the balance in their favor, and what to watch as they head into October.
A Season Built on Resilience — Not Perfection
Offseason & Preseason Expectations
Coming off a World Series crown, the Dodgers entered 2025 with sky-high expectations. That said, they weren’t viewed as a “super-team” this time around; analysts flagged concerns about roster balance, bullpen health, and whether the offense could hold up over 162 games.
Early on, the Dodgers made statements: they became the first defending champion to begin a season 8–0. But a long season demands more than a hot start.
Injuries, Slumps & Adjustments
As the months ticked by, they faced roster turbulence. Some free-agent signings like Tanner Scott and Roki Sasaki underperformed, while others struggled with consistency. Even core studs had moments of glitch: Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman each had stretches of downtimes.
The bullpen, always a sensitive topic in LA, had its share of stress. Maintaining depth and avoiding meltdown innings became key. But that’s where managerial moves, matchups, and bullpen arms stepping up made the difference.
Pitching: The Bedrock
One of the biggest reasons the Dodgers are back atop the division: their starting pitching held serve more often than not. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, in particular, emerged as a stalwart. In the clinching game, he threw six shutout innings, struck out seven, and allowed just four hits. His season, anchored by consistency and strikeout ability, gave the Dodgers an anchor every five days.
Through the season, the rotation had its share of ups and downs, but the ability to avoid blowup games, and to supplement with bullpen depth, helped smooth the ride.
Offensive Explosions (and Timely Support)
In the clincher, the bats roared. Shohei Ohtani launched his 54th home run of the year (tying his previous high) , while Freddie Freeman crushed two homers. Andy Pages also went deep, and Mookie Betts added two RBIs.
Throughout 2025, this kind of power output gave the Dodgers the ability to end games early or claw out wins late when starters got in trouble. Having a lineup capable of boom nights is critical in a division as tight as the NL West.
Divisional Dominance
Perhaps one of the less flashy but more telling stats: the Dodgers posted a 36–16 record within the division. Beating up on the Diamondbacks, Padres, and Rockies repeatedly built margin when they wobbled in interleague or tougher matchups. That kind of consistency inside the division buys you a lot of slack elsewhere.
The Final Stretch & Clincher
In the penultimate game (Wednesday), they edged Arizona 5–4 in 11 innings, pushed closer to the title race, and held the tiebreaker over San Diego. Then, on Thursday, they delivered in dominant fashion — the 8–0 victory sealed it.
With this win, they locked in home-field advantage for the Wild Card Series. Their regular season record sits at 90–69. They also clinch their 13th straight postseason appearance, a streak unmatched in modern franchise history.
It’s worth noting: while they’ve clinched the division, they won’t snag a first-round bye. The kind of dominance seen in other years wasn’t fully present this season.
Why It Matters & What Comes Next
Sustained Excellence
Twelve division titles in 13 years is borderline dynasty work. It shows that this franchise isn’t built for flashes — it’s built for grinding, recalibrating, and sustaining through adversity.
Depth Over Flash
This year proved that depth matters more than headline signings. The stars (Ohtani, Freeman, Betts) delivered big, but supporting cast, bullpen bails, and midseason corrections made the difference when the margin was thin.
Pitching Will Be Key in October
If the postseason teaches anything: pitching wins series. Yamamoto will be front and center, but the staff around him must hold up. The bullpen’s health, matchup deployment, and clutch relief appearances will be under magnifying glass.
Matchups & Momentum
The Dodgers will open in the Wild Card Series starting September 30 at Dodger Stadium. They’ll carry momentum from the clinch, but also carry the burden of expectations. Opponents will be hungry, and the margin for error shrinks.
Closing Thoughts
The 2025 Dodgers weren’t flawless. They wrestled with doubts, dips in form, bullpen volatility, and the weight of expectation. But they never fully let go. That’s what champions do.
With a 12th NL West title in 13 years now secured, the Dodgers enter October not just as participants, but as contenders who earned their spot. Now begins the truest test: can they translate division dominance into a deep postseason run and defend the crown?