Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes was thrilled after the team clinched the NL West, marking yet another successful chapter in their season filled with challenges. “It’s just incredible—the amount of fight in these guys, all the injuries we’ve had to overcome,” he said, crediting manager Dave Roberts (“Doc”) and the coaching staff for their leadership throughout the season. “The players were pulling for each other every night, and this is like the culmination of it. It’s pretty sweet.”
The fact that the clinch came against their division rival, the Padres, added a little extra sweetness, but Gomes emphasized that it was more about locking up the division at home. “I think it’s just great to get it done and to be able to celebrate at home—that’s what’s more special,” he said.
Gomes reflected on the turning point in the game, when Will Smith‘s two-run homer in the seventh inning gave the Dodgers the lead. “You could see the fight. The guys were battling, and [Joe] Musgrove pitched great, but that [home run] kind of got us going and opened the floodgates.”
When asked to describe the atmosphere in the clubhouse postgame, Gomes didn’t hold back. “It’s bananas in there. It’s total chaos, which is exactly how it should be, and it never gets old,” he said, capturing the joy and energy of the team after the clinch.
The Dodgers’ consistent success, winning the division 11 out of the past 12 seasons, speaks volumes about the entire organization, according to Gomes. “This is an organizational accomplishment each and every year. It speaks to the staff and the players—they come in and show up ready to play every day,” he added.
Gomes also noted that this series against the Padres provided a much-needed high-intensity environment leading into the postseason, especially after some earlier clinches in recent years came with less urgency. “I think we’re playing good baseball right now. This is really high-intensity, playoff atmosphere stuff, so we’re looking forward to the series in Colorado and then getting into the [Division Series],” he said.
He was particularly impressed with Walker Buehler’s performance on the mound, noting how sharp the right-hander looked. “Walker was really sharp tonight. I thought he pitched well against Colorado, too, so to see him build off that and thrive in this kind of atmosphere was special,” Gomes said, emphasizing how Buehler has historically elevated his game in playoff-level situations.
Finally, Gomes had a message for Dodgers fans. “Thank you. Continue to pull for us, make it loud, and really uncomfortable for teams coming in here,” he said, encouraging the fan base to maintain their unwavering support as the team heads into the postseason.
As for an update on Freddie Freeman, who left the game with an ankle injury, Gomes kept it cautious. “He’s got an ankle sprain, and we’ll continue to treat it. We’ll see how it goes over the next few days,” he said, leaving Freeman’s status up in the air but expressing optimism for his recovery.
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