Dodgers end season strong

BETTING À DAY

The Dodgers wrapped up a campaign that will go down in major league history with their 111th victory, a 6-1 effort over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday in Los Angeles. 

The 2022 edition of the Dodgers (111-51) slipped into the top five teams in history with this victory which allows them to finish at the top of the major leagues. Only the 1906 Chicago Cubs (116), 2001 Seattle Mariners (116), 1998 New York Yankees (114), and 1954 Cleveland Indians (111) have racked up more wins in a season.  

Freddie Freeman, Trea Turner and Cody Bellinger all homered and pitcher Clayton Kershaw (12-3) recorded a 12th win for the 10th time in his career.

In finishing atop the National League , the Dodgers will be waiting for their opponents in the first playoff round, as will the champions of the American, the Houston Astros (106-56).

The latter also finished the regular season in style by maintaining their lead to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2. Chas McCormick, Yordan Alvarez and Christian Vazquez produced a run each, which was enough for the Texas team despite a comeback started in the eighth inning by their opponents.

The Yankees just short

At Globe Life Field, the New York Yankees ( 99-63) dismissed Aaron Judge after his record home run the previous day, and were unable to pick up a 100th win this year, as they were beaten 4-2 by the Texas Rangers .

The Bronx Bombers have suffered a loss in their last two games, but also have several days off by virtue of their status as leaders in the American East.

During the first playoffs of three games in this league, the Cleveland Guardians will face the Tampa Bay Rays and the Toronto Blue Jays will face the Seattle Mariners.

In the National, the Atlanta Braves also have a first-round bye after winning the East Division. In the playoffs to crown the best runners-up, the St. Louis Cardinals will face the Philadelphia Phillies, while the New York Mets will battle the San Diego Padres.

Elsewhere in the major league baseball

In Oakland, Mike Trout hit his 40th longball of the season and his 350th in the Los Angeles Angels' loss to the Athletics. For the latter, veteran Stephen Vogt stretched his arms in his last game before retirement.

The Chicago Cubs have long been out of the playoff picture, but that hasn't stopped them have fun in their last duel against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. David Bote drove in five runs, and P.J. Higgins, Franmil Reyes and Zach McKinstry added three apiece in a 15-2 win.

For the Quebecers, Abraham Toro (Seattle Mariners) hit two safe place in his last game and Charles Leblanc (Miami Marlins) had a hit in addition to crossing the plate twice.