Atlanta Braves vs Philadelphia Phillies
The 2021 Dodgers set a record for most wins by a team that did not win its division.
The 2021 Los Angeles Dodgers season was the 132nd season for the franchise in Major League Baseball (MLB), their 64th season in Los Angeles, California, and their 59th season playing their home games at Dodger Stadium.
- Division
- National League East
- Primary Era of Rivalry
- 1969–Present
- Braves World Series Titles
- Multiple (including Atlanta era)
- Phillies World Series Titles
- 2
- Common Opponents
- Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets
Lore & Background
The Dodgers started the season 13–2, matching the best 15-game start by a defending world champion. On September 14, the Dodgers clinched a spot in the postseason for the ninth consecutive season extending the longest streak in franchise history, but they failed to clinch the National League West for the first time since 2012, finishing one game behind the San Francisco Giants. Los Angeles had the most ever wins (106) of any MLB team that failed to win its division or league, surpassing the 104 wins of the 1909 Chicago Cubs and 1942 Brooklyn Dodgers. They beat the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLWC Game and the San Francisco Giants in five games in the NLDS before losing to the eventual World Series champion Atlanta Braves in the NLCS in six games. It was the fifth NLCS appearance for the Dodgers in the last six seasons.
In Their Own Story
September showdowns between Atlanta and Philadelphia often carry the weight of October baseball. The tension is palpable as the standings tighten, with a single sweep capable of derailing a pennant race. Veterans on both sides understand the stakes; a win here isn't just a regular-season victory, but a statement that can define a season's trajectory. Whether at Truist Park or Citizens Bank Park, the atmosphere crackles with the knowledge that history is being written in real-time.
Did You Know?
- The Dodgers had the most ever wins (106) of any MLB team that failed to win its division or league.
- The Dodgers clinched a postseason spot for the ninth consecutive season in 2021.
- The Dodgers lost to the eventual World Series champion Atlanta Braves in the NLCS in six games.
More in Great Rivalries & Feuds
Elsewhere in the Los Angeles Dodgers universe
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