Dodgers Finally Manage To End Nightmarish Losing Streak

A little less than three weeks ago, the Dodgers were 91-36, generating plenty of conversation on how close they might get to being historically great and whether they could possibly lay claim to being the best team ever. Entering today, they were 92-52, mired in an 11-game losing streak in which their bats had gone quiet and their starting pitching had all but collapsed.

And now it’s over! With a 5-3 win, led by a six-strikeout outing from Clayton Kershaw, over the Giants and their second-worst record in baseball. With two doubles from Yasiel Puig and a home run from Chase Utley, the Dodgers did what had felt weirdly impossible for so long: they won a damn baseball game. (Though it didn’t come easily, with closer Kenley Jansen allowing the Giants to load the bases with one out in the ninth inning before working his way out of the jam.)

This clinches a playoff spot for the Dodgers, though not the division. Since they begin their 16-of-17 losing slide, they’ve hit .201/.273/.320 as a team, while posting a 5.99 ERA and 4.57 FIP. Here’s how it feels: