The Los Angeles Dodgers’ push to win a third straight World Series ended officially Thursday, swept by the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series.
\n\nTheir chances were never the same, however, as early as June.
\n\nThe Dodgers started June 11 the way they began the season — as a heavy favorite to become the first franchise since the 1998-00 New York Yankees to claim three consecutive championships. Their active roster, the most expensive in the sport, included two former World Series MVPs, one Cy Young winner, and a second would be added a few weeks later at the trade deadline.
\n\nThe linchpin was superstar Shohei Ohtani, the four-time MVP whose pitching and hitting feats were unparalleled in modern baseball history, and had helped the club win titles in each of his first two seasons in Los Angeles.
\n\nThat version of Ohtani was on display June 11 in Pittsburgh. He started the day with a minuscule 1.06 ERA in 11 appearances on the mound. Against the Pirates, he proceeded to hit a solo homer and get on base in all four plate appearances. Then, in the seventh inning, Ohtani exited with what the team called knee inflammation.
\n\nThe injury…
Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/sports