On December 2, 2021,Commissioner of BaseballRob Manfred announced alockout of players, following expiration of thecollective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the league and theMajor League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA). On March 10, 2022, MLB and the MLBPA agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement, thus ending the lockout. Opening Day was rescheduled for April 7.[1] Although MLB previously announced that several series would be cancelled due to the lockout, the agreement provided for a full 162-game season, with originally canceled games made up throughout the season via doubleheaders, loss of off-days and extending the season by three days.[2]
Bolstered by the signing ofFreddie Freeman, the Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot on September 12, the 10th straight year they had made the postseason. The following day, they also clinched their 20thNational League West title, and their ninth in the last 10 seasons. On September 28, they broke the franchise record for total regular season wins by clocking their 107th victory of the year, surpassing the previous franchise high of 106 wins. The team also clinched the top seed in MLB for the first time since the2017 squad. The Dodgers' 111 wins overall were the most by a team since the 116-winSeattle Mariners in 2001. Despite the record, they were upset by the 89-winSan Diego Padres in theNLDS, losing in four games, which meant that the Dodgers did not make it to the World Series despite 100 wins for the third time in four seasons. Their 111 regular season wins is the most for any team to fail to win a postseason series in the divisional era.
On September 28, 2021, the Dodgers Spanish language broadcaster since 1959,Jaime Jarrín, announced he would retire after the 2022 season.[4] The Dodgers announced on March 14 several new additions to the broadcast team onSportsNet LA. Former DodgerEric Karros,Dontrelle Willis,José Mota andJessica Mendoza would be calling select road and home games as well as participating in the studio show. Another former DodgerAdrián González was hired as an analyst exclusively for the studio team.[5]
On January 18, 2022, the Dodgers promotedBrandon Gomes to become the team's General Manager, the first time the Dodgers had someone in that position sinceFarhan Zaidi departed after the2018 season.[6]
On November 10, the Dodgers signed pitcherAndrew Heaney to a one-year, $8.5 million, contract.[15] On November 19, the Dodgers added five minor leaguers to the 40-man roster: PitcherMichael Grove, infieldersJacob Amaya,Eddys Leonard, andJorbit Vivas and outfielderJames Outman.[10] On November 30, the Dodgers signed relief pitcherDaniel Hudson to a one-year contract.[16] On December 1, the Dodgers re-signedChris Taylor to a four-year contract plus a team option for a fifth year.[12] On March 13, 2022, the Dodgers re-signedClayton Kershaw on a one-year, $17 million, contract.[17] PitcherJimmy Nelson re-signed with the Dodgers for one-year, with a club option, on March 17.[18] PitcherDanny Duffy re-signed with the Dodgers for a similar one-year with club option deal the following day.[19]
On March 18, as spring training was beginning, the Dodgers signed All-Star first basemanFreddie Freeman to a six-year, $162 million, contract.[20] The same day, they signed pitcherTyler Anderson to an $8 million one-year contract.[21] On March 23, they signed infielderHanser Alberto to a one-year, $1.6 million, contract that included a 2023 option.[22]
The expiration of the league's collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the Major League Baseball Players Association occurred on December 1, 2021, with no new agreement in place.[36] As a result, the team owners voted unanimously tolockout the players stopping all free agency and trades.[37][38]
The parties came to an agreement on a new CBA on March 10, 2022.[39]
Pursuant to the new CBA, several new rules were instituted for the 2022 season. The National League adopted thedesignated hitter full-time, a draft lottery was implemented, the postseason expanded from ten teams to twelve, and advertising patches appeared on player uniforms and helmets for the first time.[40][41]
During spring training, the Dodgers announced a three-year contract extension with ManagerDave Roberts, carrying him through the 2025 season.[46] On April 1, they made a trade with theChicago White Sox, acquiring relieverCraig Kimbrel in exchange for outfielderA. J. Pollock.[47]
The Dodgers began the season with a three-game road series against theColorado Rockies atCoors Field, the second consecutive season they began in Colorado.Walker Buehler in his first careerOpening Day start, allowed two runs on four hits with five strikeouts as the Dodgers won 5–3.[48] The Rockies evened the series the next day with a 3–2 win thanks to a go-ahead homer byConnor Joe in the eighth inning.[49] The Rockies won the final game of the series, 9–4, the first series win over the Dodgers at Coors since the2018 season.[50] The Dodgers next had a two-game series against theMinnesota Twins atTarget Field.Andrew Heaney made his first start as a Dodger and struck out five in4+1⁄3 innings while the Dodgers offense scored six runs in the eighth inning to win 7–2.[51] In the following game,Clayton Kershaw struck out 13 batters in seven perfect innings before he was removed by ManagerDave Roberts. The Twins got only one hit in the game, on a single off relieverAlex Vesia in the eighth. The Dodgers won 7–0 thanks to four home runs, including three straight in the top of the eighth.[52]
On April 14, the Dodgers played their home opener against theCincinnati Reds atDodger Stadium.Will Smith hit a three-run homer as part of a six run eighth inning that led to a 9–3 win.[53] The Dodgers also won onJackie Robinson Day, 3–1, as bothTrea Turner andGavin Lux tripled in the game.[54]Julio Urías allowed only one hit while striking out five in five scoreless innings on April 16 while Trea Turner's two run homer put the Dodgers on top and led to a 5–2 win.[55] The Dodgers finished off the sweep of the Reds with a 9–1 win. Heaney struck out 11 and only allowed one hit in six scoreless innings and the Dodgers scored seven runs in the fourth inning to blow the game open.[56]Freddie Freeman homered in his first at-bat against his former team when theAtlanta Braves came to town for a three-game series and the Dodgers won 7–4.[57] The Braves won the next game, 3–1, to snap the seven game winning streak. The Dodgers only got two hits offMax Fried in seven innings.[58] The Dodgers took the final game of the series, 5–1.Tony Gonsolin allowed only one hit in six scoreless innings and Freeman andEdwin Ríos homered in the win.[59]
The Dodgers began a three-game weekend series with theSan Diego Padres atPetco Park on April 22. In the opener,Mookie Betts hit two home runs andMax Muncy hit one as they won 6–1.[60] The Padres won the next day on a walk-offsacrifice fly byAustin Nola in the 10th inning.[61] The Dodgers routed the Padres in the final game of the series, 10–2, asCody Bellinger hit two home runs.[62] The Dodgers headed toChase Field for a three-game series against theArizona Diamondbacks. Buehler pitched a complete game shutout, striking out 10 while allowing three hits and no walks. Will Smith homered in the game as the Dodgers won 4–0.[63] The Diamondbacks won the next game, 5–3, thanks to a two-run homer byDavid Peralta in the eighth.[64] Urías allowed only one run on one hit (a solo homer byNick Ahmed) in six innings in the series finale, but the Dodgers lost 3–1 thanks to some sloppy defense in the eighth inning. This was the Dodgers first series loss to the Diamondbacks since the2019 season.[65]
Walker Buehler struck out five in five scoreless innings and the Dodgers won the final game against the Tigers, 6–3.[69] On May 3, the Dodgers began a quick two-game series against theSan Francisco Giants.Julio Urías pitched six shutout innings,Chris Taylor doubled in two runs, and the Dodgers won 3–1.[70] They won again the next day, 9–1.Mookie Betts andMax Muncy each hit home runs, andFreddie Freeman added two runs off a triple.[71]
The Dodgers went back on the road to play theChicago Cubs atWrigley Field, beginning with a doubleheader on May 7 as a result of poor weather the previous day.[72] In the opener,Clayton Kershaw pitched seven shutout innings and the Dodgers won 7–0. In the second game, the Dodgers won 6–2 thanks to Betts, who drove in five of the runs on a double and a home run, two of the Dodgers three hits in the game.[73] Buehler struck out six and only allowed one run as the Dodgers finished off the sweep of the Cubs with a 7–1 win on May 8.[74] The Dodgers then traveled toPNC Park for a series with thePittsburgh Pirates, losing the opener 5–1.[75] The Dodgers got even the next day asTony Gonsolin pitched five scoreless innings,Justin Turner doubled three times with four RBI.Edwin Ríos homered and they won 11–1.[76] However, the Pirates won the series by taking the next game, 5–3.Ryan Pepiot made his MLB debut as the Dodgers starting pitcher, and was wild with five walks and a hit batter in three innings but did not allow a run. The Pirates hit three homeruns against the Dodgers bullpen, giving them their first series win against Los Angeles since the2016 season.[77]
On May 12, the Dodgers returned home to play thePhiladelphia Phillies. They fell behind by six runs, rallied to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth only to lose when the Phillies added two more in the ninth, 9–7.[78] The Phillies won again the next day, 12–10 in 10 innings.[79] Urías had the worst start of his career on May 14, allowing career highs in runs (eight) and home runs (four) as the Phillies crushed the Dodgers 8–3, extending the losing streak to four.[80] The Dodgers fell behind again the next game, but came back to win the game on a ninth inning triple byCody Bellinger followed by a walk-off hit byGavin Lux for a 5–4 win.[81]Tony Gonsolin allowed two runs in six innings while striking out seven as the Dodgers won the opener of a series with theArizona Diamondbacks, 5–4.[82] The Dodgers and Diamondbacks played a doubleheader on May 17, the first scheduled one at Dodger Stadium since the1987 season.[83] The Dodgers won both games, hitting four home runs in a 7–6 win in the first game and taking the second game, 12–3, as Ríos hit a three-run homer.[84] They managed to finish off a four-game sweep of the Diamondbacks with a 5–3 win on May 17, with a three-run homer by Justin Turner in the fourth inning the key moment.[85]
The Dodgers went back on the road on May 20, playing the Phillies atCitizens Bank Park. Urías rebounded from his poor outing in his previous outing to pitch five shutout innings while the Dodgers took the opener, 4–1.[86] Betts had three hits, including a homer and a double as the Dodgers won 7–4 the following day.[87] In the last matchup of the series the next day, Gonsolin struck out seven in six innings and the Dodgers led the entire game until the Phillies tied it in the 9th. An error by Muncy in the bottom of the 10th allowed the tying and winning runs to score and the Phillies won 4–3, ending the Dodgers seven game winning streak.[88] Nextup on the trip were theWashington Nationals atNationals Park.Tyler Anderson struck out eight in eight scoreless innings andFreddie Freeman had three hits, including two doubles, as the Dodgers won 10–1 to start the series.[89] The Dodgers hit four home runs, including two by Betts, as they beat the Nationals 9–4 the following day.[90] The next day, Urías allowed only one run in six innings, but the Dodgers were held scoreless and lost 1–0, their first shutout loss of the season.[91] Freeman had four hits, including a homer and two doubles, as the Dodgers took the opener of a series against the Diamondbacks atChase Field, 14–1.[92] The Dodgers hit three more home runs in the next game, a 6–4 victory.[93] Betts had two hits including a home run on May 28, and in the process became the first Dodger batter to score 30 runs in a calendar month sinceDuke Snider in1954. The Dodgers won 3–2.[94] The Dodgers completed a four-game sweep of the Diamondbacks with a 3–1 win in the series finale.Will Smith homered in the game.[95]
The Dodgers returned home on May 30 to play the Pirates. They trailed by four runs after the first three innings, came back to take the lead only to lose 6–5 whenCraig Kimbrel blew the save opportunity.[96] The Pirates won again the next day, 5–3 thanks to a two-run homer byTucupita Marcano.[97]
The Pirates finished off a sweep of the Dodgers with an 8–4 win on June 1, the first time the Dodgers had been swept in a three-game series at home since the2018 season and the first time by the Pirates since the2000 season.[98] TheNew York Mets came to town for a four-game weekend series starting on June 2. In the opener,Tony Gonsolin allowed only two hits and one walk in six scoreless innings as the Dodgers ended the losing streak with a 2–0 win.[99]Tyler Anderson followed that up with six scoreless innings and only three hits allowed the next day as the Dodgers won 6–1.[100] In the next game,Walker Buehler had the shortest start of his career, recording only seven outs while allowing five runs to score as the Mets (thanks to two homers byPete Alonso) won 9–4.[101] The Mets won the next game, 5–4, in 10 innings to split the series.[102]
The Dodgers traveled toGuaranteed Rate Field for a series with theChicago White Sox.Mitch White allowed only two hits in five scoreless innings but the Dodgers failed to score and the bullpen faltered in a 4–0 loss.[103] The following day, Gonsolin struck out five in six innings while allowing one run and the Dodgers hit three home runs in a 4–1 win.[104]Max Muncy hit a three-run home run and drove in five runs overall in the Dodgers 11–9 win in the series finale.[105]Darin Ruf hit two home runs and Buehler was lost to an injury as theSan Francisco Giants beat the Dodgers, 7–2, atOracle Park.[106] The Giants proceeded to sweep the Dodgers by beating them 3–2 on June 11[107] and 2–0 on June 12. It was their first series sweep of the Dodgers since the2016 season.[108]
The Dodgers returned home on June 14 for a quick two-game series against theLos Angeles Angels. In the first game, Gonsolin allowed only one hit in6+1⁄3 innings andMookie Betts homered in a 2–0 win.[109] In the second game, Anderson took a no-hit bid into the ninth inning with 123 pitches and finished with only one hit and one run allowed in8+1⁄3 innings whileWill Smith andTrea Turner homered in the 4–1 win.[110] TheCleveland Guardians came to town for a weekend series and took the opener, 2–1, in 10 innings.Clayton Kershaw allowed five hits and one run in five innings but the Dodgers offense failed to do much on the day.[111] In the next game,Julio Urías allowed only one unearned run in six innings while striking out six and the offense produced for a 7–1 win.[112]Andrew Heaney returned from a lengthy injured list stint to strikeout seven while allowing only one earned run in five innings but the Guardians rallied against the Dodgers bullpen and won 5–3.[113]
The Dodgers headed to Cincinnati for a three-game series atGreat American Ballpark against theReds. In the opener, Gonsolin allowed two runs in five innings andFreddie Freeman and five RBI in an 8–2 win.[114] He homered in each of the next two games as the Dodgers won 8–4[115] and 10–5 to sweep the series.[116] Next came a series atTruist Park against theAtlanta Braves. Urías struck out nine while only allowing one run in six innings and Trea Turner homered as the Dodgers took the opener, 4–1.[117] The Braves took the next game, 5–3, with a two-run homer byMarcell Ozuna in the eighth making the difference.[118] In the series finale, the Dodgers were trailing 2–0 into the ninth inning, when they rallied to tie the game on a two-run single byTrayce Thompson and then they won the game 5–3 in 11 innings.[119] The Dodger traveled over night toCoors Field for a series with theColorado Rockies. They forgot to bring the bats and lost the opener, 4–0, managing only three hits against Rockies starterChad Kuhl who threw a complete game shutout.[120] The Rockies won again, 7–4, the following day[121] and then the Dodgers took the finale, 8–4, with a Freeman homer in the first setting the tone.[122]
July began with a 5–1 win over the Padres.Tony Gonsolin struck out eight and allowed only one run on four hits in7+2⁄3 innings.[124] The Dodgers hit three home runs in the first as they took the next game, 7–2.[125] In the series finale,Clayton Kershaw allowed only four hits, and one walk while striking out eight batters in seven scoreless innings, but the Padres rallied to score four runs in the ninth inning to win, 4–2.[126] Next up was a series with theColorado Rockies beginning onIndependence Day.Julio Urías struck out seven in six innings while only allowing one run. The Dodgers went ahead on a three-run home run byTrayce Thompson in the fifth inning and won 5–3 for their 50th win of the season.[127] In the next game,Ryan Pepiot allowed one run while striking out six in five innings to pick up his first major league win in the Dodgers 5–2 victory.[128] In the finale,Mitch White struck out six in5+2⁄3 innings and the Dodgers win 2–1 on a walk-off hit byMookie Betts.[129] TheChicago Cubs came to town for the next series and the Dodgers won the first game 5–3 thanks to two home runs by Betts.[130] In the next game, the Dodgers fell behind 3–0 only to rally to tie the game in the ninth and then won in the 10th on a walk-off hit byWill Smith.[131] The Dodgers won again in the following game, 4–2, as Kershaw struck out 10 in7+2⁄3 innings andJake Lamb homered.[132] In the final game of the homestand, the Dodgers fell behind to the Cubs 5–0 in the first inning only to comeback and win 11–9, with six runs in the third inning putting them ahead to stay. They swept the season series from the Cubs for the first time in franchise history.[133]The Dodgers traveled to play theSt. Louis Cardinals atBusch Stadium and saw the seven game winning streak come to an end in a 7–6 loss, despite four hits (including a home run) byFreddie Freeman.[134] In the next game, the Dodgers fell behind 6–0 only to come from behind and win 7–6.[135] The Dodgers took the final game of the series, 4–0, asTyler Anderson pitched six scoreless innings,Gavin Lux homered and Freeman and Smith each had two hits, including a double.[136] The Dodgers ended the first half of the season with a two-game series against theLos Angeles Angels atAngel Stadium. Kershaw took a perfect game into the eighth inning before giving up a double toLuis Rengifo and finished with just the one baserunner allowed in eight innings while striking out six. Smith had four hits andJustin Turner three as the Dodgers rolled to a 9–1 win.[137] They won again the next day, 7–1. Urías struck out eight in seven innings, and the Dodgers hit four homers (two byTrea Turner) in the win. The Dodgers won their 60th game of the season, as they headed into the all-star break.[138]
The Dodgers had six players selected for the2022 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, which was played atDodger Stadium. Kershaw, Betts and Trea Turner started, Freeman and Gonsolin also appeared in the game and Anderson was selected but did not play.[139]
After the break, they began a four-game home series against theSan Francisco Giants. Mitch White only allowed one hit in five scoreless innings and the Dodgers jumped out to a five run lead only for the Giants to tie it up in the seventh inning on agrand-slam home run byDarin Ruf. However, a three-run homer by Betts in the eighth put the Dodgers back on top for a 9–6 win.[140] Anderson struck out six in six innings without allowing an earned run andCody Bellinger hit the team's first grand slam of the season as the Dodgers took the next game, 5–1.[141] In the third game, Urías pitched six scoreless innings and Betts, Trea Turner and Freeman all homered as the Dodgers continued their winning streak with a 4–2 victory.[142] The Dodgers finished off the series sweep with a 7–4 win. It was their first four-game series sweep of the Giants since the1995 season.[143] The streak ended at eight games with a 4–1 loss to theWashington Nationals on July 25, which also was Tony Gonsolin's first recorded loss of the season.[144] The Nationals broke open a tied game the following day with a two-run homer byLuis García in the eighth and went on to win 8–3.[145] The Dodgers took the final game of the series, 7–1, scoring six in the first inning to put the game out of reach early.[146]
The Dodgers went back on the road on July 28 to play the Rockies atCoors Field, winning the opener 13–0.[147] Will Smith and Trayce Thompson homered as the Dodgers won 5–4 the following day.[148] The Rockies came from behind to win the next game, 5–3.[149] The Dodgers ended the month with a 7–3 win over the Rockies.James Outman, in his major league debut, had three hits, including a home run and a double.[150]
The Dodgers began August with a four-game series against theSan Francisco Giants atOracle Park, winning the opener 8–2.[151]Mookie Betts had three hits, including a home run, as the Dodgers took the next game, 9–5, for their 70th win of the season.[152]Julio Urías pitched six scoreless innings in the next game as the Dodgers shut out the Giants, 3–0, with two of the runs driven in byMiguel Vargas in his major league debut.[153] The Dodgers finished off the series with a 5–3 win and another four-game series sweep of the Giants, the first time they had done so in San Francisco since the1977 season.[154]
They returned home on August 5 for a series with theSan Diego Padres and jumped out with four runs in the first en route to an 8–1 victory.[155]Max Muncy hit a three-run home run to put the Dodgers ahead as they won the next game, 8–3.[156]Cody Bellinger hit two home runs and the Dodgers swept the Padres, 4–0.[157] Urías had another strong start on August 9 in the opener of a two-game series with theMinnesota Twins, striking out eight while only allowing one run in seven innings as the Dodgers won 10–3.[158] The Dodgers extended their winning streak to 10 games and closed out the homestand with an 8–5 win over the Twins.Chris Taylor hit a home run in the sixth inning to put them ahead and thenJoey Gallo hit a three-run homer in the seventh to extend the lead.[159]
The Dodgers next began their next road trip atKauffman Stadium against theKansas City Royals.Tony Gonsolin took a no-hitter into the seventh inning,Trayce Thompson homered and the Dodgers kept the streak alive with an 8–3 win.[160] They won again the next day, 13–3, in a game where they hit six home runs. It was the first time the Dodgers had won 12 games in a row since the1976 season.[161] The streak came to an end the following day when the Royals shut them out 4–0.[162] Next up was a trip toAmerican Family Field for a four-game series with theMilwaukee Brewers. Urías and four relievers shut out the Brewers, 4–0, in the first game of the series.[163] The Dodgers hit three home runs in the next game, but lost 5–4, on a walk-off hit byVíctor Caratini offCraig Kimbrel in the 11th inning.[164] Tony Gonsolin struck out eight while only allowing two hits in seven scoreless innings in the following game while Muncy andAustin Barnes homered to account for the Dodgers scoring in a 2–1 win.[165] The Brewers won the final game, 5–3, to split the series.[166]
Betts had three hits, including a double and triple as the Dodgers won the opening game of the next home stand, 2–1, over theMiami Marlins.Trayce Thompson made a game saving catch on a potential tying home run in the ninth.[167] In the next game,Dustin May made his first start of the year after recovering fromTommy John surgery in May 2021. He struck out nine and only allowed one hit in five scoreless innings whileWill Smith got things started with a three-run homer in the first and the Dodgers cruised to a 7–0 victory.[168] The Dodgers finished off the sweep with a 10–3 win.[169] However, they began the next series by being shut out, 4–0, by the Brewers.[170] The Dodgers won the next game, 10–1, as Gonsolin picked up his 16th win of the season,Trea Turner andFreddie Freeman each had three hits and Trayce Thompson homered.[171] In the last game of the series,Andrew Heaney struck out 10 in six innings, Austin Barnes homered and drove in four runs, and the Dodgers won 12–6.[172]
The Dodgers traveled toLoanDepot Park for a four-game series with theMiami Marlins. Mookie Betts had four hits, including two home runs as they won the opener, 10–6, in 10 innings.[173]Sandy Alcántara allowed only one run while striking out 10 in a complete game, 2–1, victory over the Dodgers in the next game, despite Betts hitting his 30th home run of the season.[174] Betts had three more hits and a home run in the next game, and the Dodgers won 8–1.[175] In the final game of the series, Will Smith hit a two-run home run in the second inning and the Dodgers won 3–2 in 10 innings.[176] Next up was a trip toCiti Field to play theNational League East leaders, theNew York Mets. Heaney struck out eight in five innings andGavin Lux drove in three runs in the Dodgers won 4–3 for their 90th victory of the season.[177] They lost the next day, 2–1, asJacob deGrom allowed only three hits and one run (a Betts homer) in seven innings while striking out nine.[178]
Clayton Kershaw struck out six and only allowed one run on one hit in five innings but the Mets came from behind against the Dodgers bullpen and won, 5–3. It was the first time the Dodgers had dropped back-to-back games in 37 days.[179]
The Dodgers returned home to play theSan Diego Padres on September 2 and were blown out, 7–1.Dustin May gave up three multi-run homers in his five innings and the Dodgers were shut down byYu Darvish, who struck out nine in seven innings.[180] The Dodgers responded with four home runs as they routed the Padres 12–1 the following day.[181] Home runs byWill Smith andTrayce Thompson led the Dodgers to a 9–4 win in the series finale.[182]Andrew Heaney struggled in his next start, allowing six runs, on four homers, in5+1⁄3 innings as the Dodgers lost to theSan Francisco Giants, 7–4.[183]Max Muncy hit two home runs andJoey Gallo one as the Dodgers took the next game, 6–3.[184] Kershaw struck out eight in six innings and Muncy hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning as the Dodgers won the series finale, 7–3.[185]
On September 9, The Dodgers traveled toPetco Park to play the Padres and lost, 5–4, in 10 innings.[186]Julio Urías pitched seven innings while only allowing two runs andFreddie Freeman had four hits, including a home run and double, in an 8–4 win the following day.[187]Justin Turner hit two home runs, including agrand slam, as the Dodgers won 11–2 on September 11 and clinched their 10th consecutive trip to the postseason.[188] Next up was a trip toChase Field to play theArizona Diamondbacks.Tyler Anderson pitched seven scoreless innings andMookie Betts homered as the Dodgers shut out the Diamondbacks, 6–0.[189] The Dodgers won again the following day, 4–0, to clinch their 20thNational League West title and ninth in ten years. Kershaw allowed only two hits in seven innings while Gallo and Freeman homered. It was the earliest the Dodgers had clinched the division since the franchise moved to Los Angeles.[190] The Diamondbacks won the series finale, 5–3, on a walk-off three-run home run bySergio Alcántara in the 10th inning.[191] Next, they traveled toOracle Park to face the Giants.Dustin May pitched five hitless innings and the Dodgers shut out the Giants, 5–0.[192] Urías struck out eight in six innings and the Dodgers won 7–2 on September 18 to pick up their 100th win of the season, becoming the fastest team to reach that mark in franchise history (surpassing the1899 and1953 teams) and it was the fastest in MLB since the2001 Mariners.[193] The Dodgers finished off a sweep of the Giants with a 4–3 win in 10 innings. It was their 15th win against the Giants in 2022, the most wins against their rivals in a single season since 1953 and it was their 52nd road victory, setting a new franchise mark (eclipsing the1952 team).[194]
The Dodgers returned home on September 19 to play the Diamondbacks. Kershaw struck out 10 in six innings and Gallo andChris Taylor homered in the 5–2 win that clinched a first round bye in the playoffs.[195] The Dodgers and Diamondbacks played a scheduled doubleheader on September 20. In the first game, the Diamondbacks took a 5–1 lead early only to see the Dodgers score five runs in the eighth inning to win 6–5.Austin Barnes hit a two-run home run and singles by Smith, Thompson andMiguel Vargas drove in the rest of the runs. The Dodgers committed four errors in the sloppy nightcap, losing 5–2.[196] The offense struggled the next day, managing only three hits in a 6–1 loss.[197]Zac Gallen struck out 13 and held the Dodgers to two hits and one run through eight innings but they came back against the Diamondbacks bullpen. Betts drove in the winning run on a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth.[198] TheSt. Louis Cardinals came to town for a three-game series which they started by blowing out the Dodgers 11–0. The Cardinals hit five home runs, including two byAlbert Pujols (the699th and 700th of his career).[199] The Dodgers hit three home runs the following day (including the first career one byMiguel Vargas) as they won 6–2.[200] They wrapped up the series with a 4–1 victory over the Cardinals for their 106th victory, matching the franchise record, and becoming the first team ever to win 106 games in three consecutive full-length seasons and clinching the best record in theNational League.[201]
The Dodgers final road trip of the regular season was a three-game trip to San Diego to play the Padres. In the first game, they lost 4–3 whenCraig Kimbrel walkedJorge Alfaro with the bases loaded in the 10th inning.[202] In the next game, Urías and four relievers shutout the Padres and the Dodgers won when Freeman drove in the only run of the game on a single in the tenth inning for the Dodgers franchise record 107th win.[203] Vargas had three RBI as the Dodgers finished up their short trip with a 5–2 win.[204]
The Dodgers returned home to end the regular season with an unusual six-game series against theColorado Rockies, that was made necessary by the need to make up games postponed because of the pre-season lockout. Kershaw pitched six shutout innings,Cody Bellinger hit a three-run homer, and the Dodgers cruised to a 10–1 win that clinched the best record in all of MLB and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.[205]
On October 1, the Dodgers rallied from three runs down to beat the Rockies 6–4 for their 110th win of the season, the first National League team to reach that mark since the1909 Pittsburgh Pirates.Mookie Betts also had his 40th double of the season, and along withFreddie Freeman gave the Dodgers two players with 40 or more doubles for the first time sinceJohnny Frederick andBabe Herman did so for the1930 Brooklyn Robins.[206]Tyler Anderson struck out 10 in five innings the next day, but the Rockies beat the Dodgers 4–1.[207] The Rockies won again the following day, 2–1, on a ninth inning run scoring single byMichael Toglia[208] and then again, 5–2.[209] In the final game of the regular season,Clayton Kershaw struck out nine in five innings and the Dodgers won 6–1 for their 111th win, the most in the majors since the2001 Mariners and the most in theNational League since the1906 Cubs.[210]
The Dodgers opened the postseason by facing theSan Diego Padres in the division series.Julio Urías made his first career post-season Game 1 start againstMike Clevinger of the Padres.Trea Turner homered in the first to give the Dodgers an early lead, which they added to quickly, scoring five runs off Clevinger in2+2⁄3 innings. The Padres came back to score three runs in the fifth inning to tighten the game. It remained scoreless the rest of the way and the Dodgers won the first game, 5–3.[211] Game 2 featured a matchup betweenClayton Kershaw of the Dodgers andYu Darvish of the Padres. Each team scored a run in the first inning on solo homers, byManny Machado andFreddie Freeman.Max Muncy homered in the second to put the Dodgers up, but the Padres evened the score the following inning on a run scoring double by Machado and went ahead on a run scoring groundout byJake Cronenworth. Trea Turner hit a home run in the bottom of the inning to tie it back up again. In the sixth, the Padres went ahead on a single byJurickson Profar after Turner botched a potential inning ending double play opportunity.Jake Cronenworth homered offBlake Treinen in the eighth to extend the lead to two. The Padres bullpen held the lead and they won 5–3 to even up the series.[212]
Tony Gonsolin started in Game 3, but only lasted1+1⁄3 innings before being replaced byAndrew Heaney. He allowed four hits and one walk but only one run scored.Trent Grisham hit a solo home run off Heaney to put the Padres up by two, with the Dodgers getting a run on aMookie Betts sacrifice fly in the fifth. Both bullpens pitched scoreless innings the rest of the game, with the Dodgers going 0 for 9 with men in scoring position to lose the game 2–1.[213] In the fourth game,Tyler Anderson allowed only two hits in five scoreless innings and the Dodgers took a 3–0 lead on a two-run double by Freeman and aWill Smith sacrifice fly. However, the Padres rallied with a five run seventh inning against the Dodgers bullpen and won the game, 5–3, and the series, 3–1. It was a crushing defeat for the Dodgers after their historic season.[214]
List does not include position players. Stats inbold are the team leaders.
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; H = Hits allowed; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts
On April 20, placed LHPAndrew Heaney on the 10-day injured list with left shoulder discomfort and recalled IF/OFZach McKinstry from AAA Oklahoma City.[231]
On April 22, placed RHPBlake Treinen on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder discomfort and recalled LHPGarrett Cleavinger from AAA Oklahoma City.[232]
On April 24, purchased the contract of RHPReyes Moronta from AAA Oklahoma City, designated LHPDarien Nuñez for assignment and placed LHPDavid Price on the 10-day injured list.[233]
On April 30, placed RHPMitch White on the COVID-19 injured list, recalled IF/OFZach McKinstry from AAA Oklahoma City, purchased the contract of RHPCarson Fulmer from AAA Oklahoma City and optioned RHPAndre Jackson to AAA Oklahoma City.[234]
On May 11, purchased the contract of RHPRyan Pepiot from AAA Oklahoma City and designated LHPRobbie Erlin for assignment.[239]
On May 12, optioned RHPRyan Pepiot to AAA Oklahoma City and purchased the contract of RHPYency Almonte from AAA Oklahoma City.[240]
On May 13, placed LHPClayton Kershaw on the 15-day injured list with right SI joint inflammation and recalled LHPGarrett Cleavinger from AAA Oklahoma City.[241]
On May 17, recalled RHPRyan Pepiot from Class-A Rancho Cucamonga,[244] recalled LHPJustin Bruihl from AAA Oklahoma City, optioned LHPCaleb Ferguson to AAA Oklahoma City, activated RHPMitch White from the COVID-19 related injured list, placed RHPTommy Kahnle on the 15-day injured list with right forearm inflammation and transferred RHPBlake Treinen from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.[245] Activated LHPDavid Price from the COVID-19 related injured list and designated RHPShane Greene for assignment.[246]
On May 28, optioned RHPRyan Pepiot to AAA Oklahoma City, placed IFMax Muncy on the 10-day injured list with left elbow inflammation, recalled RHPMichael Grove from AAA Oklahoma City, purchased the contract of OFKevin Pillar from AAA Oklahoma City and transferred RHPTommy Kahnle from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.[249]
On June 3, placed IFEdwin Ríos on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain, purchased the contract of IFEddy Alvarez from AAA Oklahoma City and transferred OFKevin Pillar from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.[251]
On June 11, activated LHPClayton Kershaw from the 15-day injured list and optioned LHPJustin Bruihl to AAA Oklahoma City.[255] Placed RHPWalker Buehler on the 15-day injured list with a right forearm strain and recalled RHPMichael Grove from AAA Oklahoma City.[256]
On June 19, activated LHPAndrew Heaney from the 10-day injured list, placed OFMookie Betts on the 10-day injured list with a right rib fracture, recalled IF/OFZach McKinstry from AAA Oklahoma City and optioned RHPReyes Moronta to AAA Oklahoma City.[258][259]
On June 21, purchased the contract of OFTrayce Thompson from AAA Oklahoma City, placed LHPCaleb Ferguson on the 15-day injured list with left forearm tendinitis and transferred RHPWalker Buehler from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.[260]
On June 22, placed IFHanser Alberto on the paternity list, purchased the contract of OFStefen Romero from AAA Oklahoma City, and transferred 3BEdwin Ríos from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.[261]
On June 24, placed LHPAndrew Heaney on the 15-day injured list with left shoulder inflammation and recalled RHPReyes Moronta from AAA Oklahoma City.[262]
On June 25, placed RHPDaniel Hudson on the 15-day injured list with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, recalled IFHanser Alberto from the paternity list and RHPMitch White from AAA Oklahoma City and designated OFStefen Romero for assignment.[263][264]
On June 28, placed IF/OFZach McKinstry on the 10-day injured list with neck stiffness and purchased the contract of IFJake Lamb from AAA Oklahoma City.[265]
On July 3, activated OFMookie Betts from the 10-day injured list and LHPDavid Price from the family medical emergency list, optioned IF/OFEddy Alvarez to AAA Oklahoma City, and designated RHPIan Gibaut for assignment.[269]
On July 6, placed IF/OFChris Taylor on the 10-day injured list with a fractured left foot, activated LHPCaleb Ferguson from the 15-day injured list and IF/OFZach McKinstry from the 10-day injured list and optioned RHPRyan Pepiot to AAA Oklahoma City.[271][272]
On July 13, claimed RHPJake Reed off waivers from theNew York Mets and optioned him to AAA Oklahoma City.[273]
On July 14, placed RHPBrusdar Graterol on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to July 11 with right shoulder inflammation, and recalled RHPReyes Moronta from AAA Oklahoma City.[274]
On August 5, placed LHPClayton Kershaw on the 15-day injured list with lower back pain, activated IF/OFChris Taylor from the 10-day injured list, recalled LHPReyes Moronta from AAA Oklahoma City, and optioned OFJames Outman to AAA Oklahoma City.[286][287]
On August 7, placed RHPYency Almonte on the 15-day injured list with right elbow tightness and recalled RHPAndre Jackson from AAA Oklahoma City.[288]
On August 10, recalled RHPRyan Pepiot from AAA Oklahoma City and optioned RHPAndre Jackson to AAA Oklahoma City.[291]
On August 12, placed CAustin Barnes on the family emergency leave list, purchased the contract of CTony Wolters from AAA Oklahoma City and designated IFRylan Bannon for assignment.[292]
On August 15, reinstated CAustin Barnes from the family emergency leave list and designated CTony Wolters for assignment.[293]
On August 17, activated IFEdwin Ríos from the 60-day injured list and optioned him to AAA Oklahoma City.[294]
On August 20, activated RHPDustin May from the 60-day injured list and designated RHPReyes Moronta for assignment.[295]
On September 2, activated RHPBlake Treinen from the 60-day injured list and designated RHPJake Reed for assignment.[301]
On September 4, placed LHPDavid Price on the 15-day injured list with left wrist inflammation and recalled RHPRyan Pepiot from AAA Oklahoma City.[302]
On September 5, optioned RHPRyan Pepiot to AAA Oklahoma City and recalled LHPJustin Bruihl from AAA Oklahoma City.[303]
On September 10, placed RHPBlake Treinen on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder tightness and recalled RHPAndre Jackson from AAA Oklahoma City.[304]
On September 13, activated RHPTommy Kahnle from the 60-day injured list and designated RHPHeath Hembree for assignment.[305]
On September 20, activated LHPTyler Anderson from the paternity list, recalled RHPRyan Pepiot from AAA Oklahoma City as the extra man for a doubleheader and optioned RHPAndre Jackson to AAA Oklahoma City.[308]
On September 25, placed RHPDustin May on the 15-day injured list with lower back tightness and recalled RHPAndre Jackson from AAA Oklahoma City.[310]
On September 27, activated LHPDavid Price from the 15-day injured list and optioned RHPAndre Jackson to AAA Oklahoma City.[311]
On September 28, activated RHPYency Almonte from the 15-day injured list and placed RHPPhil Bickford on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder fatigue.[312]
On October 2, placed RHPMichael Grove on the 15-day injured list with a left knee contusion and recalled RHPAndre Jackson from AAA Oklahoma City.[313]
On October 3, activated RHPTony Gonsolin from the 15-day injured list and optioned RHPAndre Jackson to AAA Oklahoma City.[314]
On October 6, recalled IFJacob Amaya from AAA Oklahoma City and placed him on the 60-day injured list, purchased the contract of RHPBeau Burrows from AAA Oklahoma City and assigned him to AAA Oklahoma City.[315]
The 2022 Draft was held July 17–19, 2022. The Dodgers had their first pick dropped from the first round to the second as a result of being in the highest tier of competitive balance tax during the 2021 season. They also lost their normal second round pick and their fifth round pick as a result of signing free agentFreddie Freeman but gained a fifth round pick for losingCorey Seager to free agency.[326] The top pick in this draft was catcherDalton Rushing from theUniversity of Louisville,[327] who is one of two players from this draft class to play in the majors as of 2025.
