The Los Angeles Dodgers traded for the Baltimore Orioles’ shortstop Manny Machado, signaling to the baseball world it’s once again World Series or Bust at Chavez Ravine–the way it should be.

The 2017 and 2018 Dodgers teams have worked off of similar scripts.

Both started relatively slow (10-12 in 2017, 16-26 in 2018). Both set a franchise record for home runs in a month with a powerful June (22-7 record in 2017, 17-9 in 2018).

And now, both made moves to acquire players aimed at putting the club over the top for a World Series run.

Earlier this week, LA traded five prospects in their minor league system for Manny Machado, widely considered the best shortstop in the American League this season.

He was the All-Star starter for the AL on Tuesday. On Wednesday, he was sent to LA. Machado is the most important “rental” player (there’s no way of knowing whether the Dodgers are considering signing him after the season to what will be a record-breaking contract) in franchise history.

The Dodgers were reeling when Corey Seager was lost for the season at the end of April (Tommy John Surgery). A combination of Enrique Hernandez and Chris Taylor at the most demanding position on the diamond hasn’t worked out well.

What Machado brings to the table is more than just stability; it’s excellence. He’s started every game, except one this season, posting a .980 fielding percentage with 141 putouts. Those numbers are good for 11th and 1st in Major League Baseball, respectively. While that’s upper half of the league good, his production at the plate this season has been second-to-none great.

The 26-year-old is enjoying his finest season offensively, posting a .315/.387/.575 line with 24 bombs and 65 RBI in the first half of the season. Corey Seager hit 22 home runs total in 2017.

As the schedule’s calendar turns to “2nd half” of the season, the Dodgers have thrown all their cards on the table. Anything short of the World Series is unacceptable with the devastatingly powerful lineup they will field.

The push toward October starts tonight, with the Dodgers (53-43) in Milwaukee to face the Brewers (55-43) in potential postseason matchup.

First pitch is at 5:10, so be sure to listen to Manny Machado’s debut in Dodger Blue on your hometown station, KHTS FM 98.1.

Welcome to Mannywood 2.0.

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