The Dodgers have been trying not to think about the future.
asserted
Dodgers → try → future
They’ve been focused on their World Series three-peat pursuit in the present.
asserted
They → focus → present
But with their season on the line Thursday, and their dynasty in sudden jeopardy in the face of a three-games-to-none deficit in the National League Championship Series, it’s become harder to block out the reality.
asserted
it → become → reality
Before this NLCS, third baseman Max Muncy acknowledged that dynamic, saying “there’s been some talk of that” even if he didn’t “like thinking about it.”
asserted
he → acknowledge → it
On Thursday, first baseman Freddie Freeman also pondered the possibility, reflecting on everything this core has been through together.
asserted
core → ponder → everything
“I hadn’t thought about that once until you just brought it up,” he laughed.
asserted
he → think → it
“But when you do think about it, it is special what we have accomplished over the last couple years.”
asserted
we → think → years
Thus, the Dodgers entered Game 4 trying to do more than just save this season.
asserted
Dodgers → enter → season
“We still want this to keep going,” Freeman said.
asserted
Freeman → want → ?
“We know we have a lot left in the tank together.”
asserted
we → know → tank
Whenever the offseason arrives, notable changes could be coming to the Dodgers’ clubhouse.
Freeman and Muncy won’t be going anywhere, nor will other core veterans such as Mookie Betts, Will Smith or Shohei Ohtani.
But Miguel Rojas is likely to retire.
uncertain
Rojas → arrive → Betts
And the uncertainty of a new collective-bargaining agreement could prompt other changes to the team’s tight-knit roster.
uncertain
uncertainty → prompt → roster
The Dodgers explored a trade for outfielder Teoscar Hernández last winter, and could do so again this offseason (especially with the league trying to enact stricter spending rules in a new CBA, and the Dodgers boasting a number of budding outfield prospects in their farm system).
uncertain
Dodgers → explore → system
Longer-term, Freeman and Muncy will also be entering the final guaranteed seasons of their respective deals in 2027.
asserted
Freeman → enter → 2027
And everyone else on their already aging roster will be another year older.
asserted
everyone → age → roster
That’s why this year’s run –– on top of the opportunity for a third-straight title –– has felt so precious.
asserted
run → ’ → title
Outside of the since-retired Clayton Kershaw, practically every key contributor from last year returned.
asserted
contributor → retire → year
The front office decided to run things back, hoping the continuity would pay dividends.
asserted
continuity → decide → dividends
“It’s a great group of guys,” Freeman said.
asserted
Freeman → ’ → guys
Those bonds were needed Thursday, with the club facing a stunning three-game hole to a relentless Milwaukee Brewers squad.
asserted
club → need → squad
“Luckily it’s not a best of five, it’s a best of seven, so we’ve still got a chance tonight,” Freeman said.
asserted
Freeman → ’ → chance
“Our number one goal is not to think about the big picture of we need to win four in a row,” he added.
asserted
he → think → row
“It’s, ‘You’ve got to win today.’
asserted
You → ’ → ?
And if we win today, then you worry about tomorrow.”
asserted
you → win → tomorrow
Still, tomorrow was not guaranteed.
asserted
tomorrow → guarantee → ?
“We know what’s at stake.
asserted
what → know → stake
We know how to handle it,” Freeman said.
asserted
Freeman → know → it
We know we have a good baseball team.
asserted
we → know → team
We can put this thing together real fast.”
asserted
We → put → thing
Much more than just one season was hinging on their ability to do so.
asserted
more → hinge → ability
In their potential last ride together, the dynasty Dodgers were facing their most daunting test.
asserted
Dodgers → face → test
The Aporia
