The Dodgers celebrate another NL West title as they turn their attention toward October and a chance at history.

The Los Angeles Dodgers secured their fifth consecutive National League West title Thursday afternoon with an 8-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. The victory marked their 13th division championship in the past 14 seasons. It came three days after the Dodgers secured a spot in the postseason for the 14th consecutive year, tying the Atlanta Braves’ record for consecutive playoff appearances.

Kyle Tucker helped lead the Dodgers to the division title with a two-run home run, two doubles and three RBIs. His home run gave Los Angeles an early lead, while his RBI double extended it. By the fourth inning, the Dodgers had built a 7-0 advantage, putting the team in position to close out the division title.

“It’s a big deal,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I think that a lot of people think that it’s just a rite of passage, it’s not easy. So it’s something that we’re all really proud of, but really understand that’s not the end goal.”

That distinction has become increasingly important for a team that has spent more than a decade establishing itself as a regular presence in October. Winning the NL West guarantees a place in the postseason, but the Dodgers are already looking beyond the division crown. With nine regular season games remaining, the team is still competing for the National League’s top seeds and the advantages that come with them.

The Dodgers are also playing with a larger piece of history in sight. After winning the World Series in both 2024 and 2025, Los Angeles is trying to become the first team since the New York Yankees from 1998 through 2000 to win three consecutive World Series championships. The division title marks another step toward that goal, but it also raises the standard for what comes next.

“There is certainly a higher expectation when, if you don’t win the World Series, you fail,” Roberts said. “But that’s kind of part of what you signed up with the Dodgers.”

Yet the path to another championship has not been without complications. Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers’ four-time MVP and one of baseball’s most recognizable players, is currently on the 15-day injured list. The Dodgers expect him to return as a hitter before the regular season ends, potentially giving the lineup another major addition as October approaches.

The team has also continued to add reinforcements. At the trade deadline, Los Angeles acquired Tarik Skubal, a two-time American League Cy Young Award winner, to strengthen a group of pitchers that has dealt with injuries throughout the year. His arrival gives Los Angeles another established starting pitcher as it prepares for the postseason.

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That depth could become particularly important in October, when a long regular season gives way to a much shorter series of high-stakes games. The Dodgers have already shown they can withstand stretches without key players, with younger and less established members of the roster stepping into larger roles when needed. Josue De Paula, for example, contributed an RBI single in Thursday’s win.

The Dodgers have faced injuries, uncertainty and the pressure of defending back-to-back World Series titles, yet they have once again positioned themselves to make history. The final stretch begins in October, but for now, the Dodgers have another division crown to their name, a championship within reach and a city ready to celebrate.