Path to the World Series — Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers are set to appear in their second consecutive World Series. After falling to the Astros last year, L.A. will take on the Red Sox this time around. Here's a look at how they got this far.

Acquire Matt Kemp from the Braves
It was thought that the trade of salaries between the Dodgers and Braves in December would have little impact on the field, but Kemp had other ideas. After showing up to spring training in great shape, Kemp proceeded to lead the team in batting average (.290) and RBI (85). The Dodgers wouldn't have won the NL West without him.

Call up Max Muncy from Triple-A
A minor leaguer veteran who hadn't done much with his bat in the majors, Muncy was promoted to the majors in mid-April. The rest is history, as Muncy launched 35 home runs and finished the season with a .973 OPS. He eventually became the team's starting first baseman, shifting Cody Bellinger to center field.

Promote Walker Buehler from the minors
After what we saw last season from Buehler, it was inevitable that he'd be in the rotation. The Dodgers limited his innings but gave him a shot in late April. Despite some minor injuries, he finished the year with a 2.62 ERA in 137.1 innings and was a key playoff contributor.

Corey Seager lost for the season
An elbow injury for Seager unexpectedly turned into Tommy John surgery, ending his season in April. While the injury seemed like a nightmare at the time, the Dodgers almost certainly wouldn't have acquired Manny Machado in July had it not occurred.

Activate Justin Turner from DL
The Dodgers had a slow start to the season and couldn't wait for Turner to return from a fractured wrist suffered in spring training. He finally returned in May and made up for lost time, hitting .312-14-52 in 103 games.

Acquire Manny Machado via trade
Machado was the big chip in the trade market, and the Dodgers front office swooped in to get him. He helped the Dodgers down the stretch after being acquired in July, hitting .273-13-42.

Activate Hyun-Jin Ryu from DL
Ryu missed more than three months due to injury, but he was worth the wait when he returned in August. Over his final nine starts, Ryu posted a 1.88 ERA and 53/5 K/BB in 52.2 innings. He continues to be a key contributor in the postseason.

Defeat Rockies to win sixth straight NL West title
A great regular season in the NL West couldn't be decided in 162 games. The Dodgers and Rockies faced off in a Game 163 to decide the division, and L.A. won the contest 5-2 behind a great start by Walker Buehler.

Win NLDS in four games vs. Braves
The Dodgers made quick work of a young, upstart Braves squad in four games. The series featured two shutouts by the Dodgers pitching staff in the first two games of the NLDS.

Win NLCS in seven games vs. Brewers
Milwaukee took the Dodgers to the brink of elimination, but L.A. was able to prevail in seven games. Trailing in the series 2-1 after three games, the Dodgers took three of the last four games. A Yasiel Puig home run in Game 7 all but clinched the series for L.A.