Ranking the Top 5 Dodgers’ All-Time Great MLB Playoff Performers
Grant White
Host · Writer
1. Corey Seager
Granted, Corey Seager only spent seven seasons with the Dodgers, but they wouldn't have won the World Series without him.
During their championship run in 2020, Seager claimed both the NLCS and World Series MVP awards. The eventual two-time World Series MVP had an immaculate .735 slugging percentage across the final two rounds of the playoffs that year, driving in 16 runs and coming around to score 15 more in just 13 games.
We know now that Seager is one of the all-time great playoff performers. Without him, the Dodgers' World Series drought would be approaching 40 years.
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5. Clayton Kershaw
In a week when the great Fernando Valenzuela passed away, we look back at some of the best clutch Dodgers. While Fernando would undoubtedly be one of those, thanks to his magical 1981 playoff run, our list focuses on the past 40 years.
The Los Angeles Dodgers would still be stuck in the depths of playoff irrelevancy if not for Clayton Kershaw. Sure, he hasn't always been at his best in the postseason, but he's been a workhorse and become synonymous with the Dodgers franchise.
Kershaw's best run came from 2017 to 2020. Throughout that four-year period, the soon-to-be Hall of Famer had eight quality starts while going 9-5 with a 4.20 ERA and a 9.9 K/9 rate.
Kershaw was whatever the Dodgers needed him to be, starting Game 1s, coming on in relief in crucial moments, and leading the team to its World Series title in 2020.
4. Max Muncy
The Dodgers have undergone several transformations over the past few years, but Max Muncy has been one of the few constants in the team's pursuit of playoff glory.
The now 34-year-old has delivered in virtually every playoff series he's appeared in. In total, Muncy has a .885 OPS across 57 playoff games, all of which have come with the Dodgers. Moreover, he's accounted for over 70 runs across that stretch while playing a versatile role on defense.
There's a reason why LA has prioritized Muncy throughout its constant reshuffling. The hard-hitting left-handed bat has one of the best approaches at the plate and we continue to see that shine in the postseason.
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3. Mookie Betts
It's been a productive four postseasons for Mookie Betts since joining the Dodgers. The versatile leader has been a lynchpin in the team's success and has already earned himself a spot on the top 5 playoff performers list.
As Betts goes, so do the Dodgers. In series' where he bats .269 or better, LA is 7-0. The Dodgers are a disastrous 1-3 when Betts falls below that benchmark. Naturally, his elite approach at the plate correlates with top-end run production, with the former MVP recording 34 runs and 26 RBI in 38 playoff games with LA.
Nine RBI in this year's NLCS only solidified his importance to the Dodgers. Don't be surprised if he maintains that pace and claims his first playoff MVP award in the World Series.
Betts World Series MVP Odds at FanDuel: +750
2. Orel Hershiser
It was only two postseasons, but Orel Hershiser was magical every time he toed the rubber for the Dodgers.
Most notably, Hershiser was masterful during LA's 1988 World Series run. The imposing righty appeared in six games for the Dodgers, giving up five earned runs across 42.2 innings pitched for a minuscule 1.05 ERA. His iconic moment came in extra innings of Game 5 against the New York Mets, when he came on in relief after pitching the day before to secure the win.
Not surprisingly, Hershiser claimed both the NLCS and World Series MVPs that year, a distinction he shares with one other Dodgers player on our list.
1. Corey Seager
Granted, Corey Seager only spent seven seasons with the Dodgers, but they wouldn't have won the World Series without him.
During their championship run in 2020, Seager claimed both the NLCS and World Series MVP awards. The eventual two-time World Series MVP had an immaculate .735 slugging percentage across the final two rounds of the playoffs that year, driving in 16 runs and coming around to score 15 more in just 13 games.
We know now that Seager is one of the all-time great playoff performers. Without him, the Dodgers' World Series drought would be approaching 40 years.
Swing for the Fences with SportsGrid’s free daily MLB Game Picks and MLB Prop Picks.
5. Clayton Kershaw
In a week when the great Fernando Valenzuela passed away, we look back at some of the best clutch Dodgers. While Fernando would undoubtedly be one of those, thanks to his magical 1981 playoff run, our list focuses on the past 40 years.
The Los Angeles Dodgers would still be stuck in the depths of playoff irrelevancy if not for Clayton Kershaw. Sure, he hasn't always been at his best in the postseason, but he's been a workhorse and become synonymous with the Dodgers franchise.
Kershaw's best run came from 2017 to 2020. Throughout that four-year period, the soon-to-be Hall of Famer had eight quality starts while going 9-5 with a 4.20 ERA and a 9.9 K/9 rate.
Kershaw was whatever the Dodgers needed him to be, starting Game 1s, coming on in relief in crucial moments, and leading the team to its World Series title in 2020.
