Alex Rodriguez: 2020s Dodgers Evoke Memories of 1990s Yankees
As the 2025 MLB postseason unfolds, the Los Angeles Dodgers have showcased their strength with four consecutive wins. Alex Rodriguez, a notable FOX MLB analyst, has expressed confidence in their continued success. He likened the Dodgers to the dominant New York Yankees of the 1990s, stating, “They’re going to win. The Dodgers are that way.”
Dodgers’ Dominance in the 2025 Postseason
The Dodgers began their playoff journey by sweeping the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Wild Card Series, scoring a remarkable 18 runs across two games. Building on this momentum, they secured victories in the first two games of the NL Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. With this strong performance, the Dodgers aim to close out the series in their upcoming game.
Impressive Regular Season Performance
During the regular season, the Dodgers clinched the NL West title for the 12th time in 13 years, finishing with a record of 93 wins and 69 losses. Their robust offseason acquisitions played a crucial role in this success, featuring key additions such as:
- Blake Snell
- Roki Sasaki
- Tanner Scott
- Kirby Yates
- Michael Conforto
The Dodgers boasted an impressive offensive performance, ranking second in Major League Baseball (MLB) in:
- Runs scored: 825
- Home runs: 244
- Slugging percentage: .441
Defensively, their starting rotation excelled, leading the league with a .222 opponent batting average and achieving a 3.69 ERA. Despite some challenges with their bullpen, which ranked tied for 20th in ERA (4.27), the team demonstrated resilience, such as in their recent 4-3 victory against the Phillies.
Rodriguez on the Historic Comparison
Rodriguez drew parallels between the current Dodgers and the Yankees’ reign from 1996 to 2000, during which the Yankees won four championships. This included three consecutive titles from 1998 to 2000. Historically, the Yankees were highly successful, finishing with a World Series record of 16-3 in that span.
Star Power and Managerial Excellence
The Dodgers had a strong representation at the 2023 NL All-Star Game, featuring five players, including:
- Shohei Ohtani (designated hitter/starting pitcher)
- Will Smith (catcher)
- Freddie Freeman (first baseman)
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto (right-hander)
- Clayton Kershaw (left-hander)
Rodriguez praised manager Dave Roberts, emphasizing his vital role in the franchise’s success. In his tenth season, Roberts has led the Dodgers to a 944-575 regular season record and a 60-44 postseason record, including World Series victories in 2020 and 2024.
As the Dodgers look towards Game 3 against the Phillies, their potential to repeat history and emulate the success of the 1990s Yankees remains a topic of conversation among fans and analysts alike.
