Dodgers relying on Machado
ATLANTA — Even with all their star power and deep pockets, all their booming hitters and ace pitchers, the Los Angeles Dodgers are approaching three decades since their last World Series championship.
They’re making another run at that elusive title.
Only this time, Manny Machado is along for the ride.
The slugging shortstop hit a three-run homer that wrapped up a 6-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Monday, sending Los Angeles to the NL Championship Series for the third year in a row and fourth time in six seasons.
This is what the Dodgers had in mind when they acquired the free agentto-be from the lowly Baltimore Orioles back in July.
They’re hoping Machado is the one who turns Tinseltown into Titletown for the first time since 1988.
“Can’t say enough about him,” Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said. “A player of his caliber, there are so many expectations put on him.”
Machado had only three hits in a 3-1 division series victory over the Braves, but two of them were homers. He finished with six RBIs.
“We prepared ourselves to get here,” Machado said. “We’re not going to stop till we get what we want.”
Clearly, nothing less than a World Series title will do.
While the Dodgers went through the customary celebration that follows any postseason victory — they doled out T-shirts and caps, posed for pictures in the middle of SunTrust Park, then doused themselves with beer in the clubhouse — the focus turned quickly to the next round.
The Dodgers will face the Brewers in the NLCS. Game 1 is Friday night in Milwaukee.
“We all know that there’s a lot more work to be done,” Roberts said. “We have eight more wins to go.”
Los Angeles spent much of the season locked in a tight race with division rivals Colorado and Arizona, and required a onegame playoff with the Rockies to clinch its sixth straight NL West title.
“We took a hard path to get to this point, but I do think it made us stronger and kind of galvanized our team,” Roberts said.
It certainly helps to have a player of Machado’s caliber bolstering an already potent lineup. The Dodgers hit a franchise-record 235 homers during the regular season, and added eight more in the NLDS.
“They’re a very powerful team,” Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said.