Dave Roberts can move into exclusive company if the Dodgers eliminate the Braves on Wednesday.
Tuesday’s 3–1 victory in Atlanta was the 71st postseason win of Roberts’ career, moving him into a tie with Tony La Russa for the second-most by an MLB manager.
Only Joe Torre has more with 84.
A Dodgers victory in Game 4 would give Roberts sole possession of second place while also sending Los Angeles to the National League Championship Series for the third consecutive season.
Roberts Has Reached 71 Postseason Wins
Roberts entered the 2026 postseason with 69 career playoff victories.
The Dodgers defeated Atlanta in Games 1 and 3 of the NLDS, bringing his total to 71 and placing him alongside La Russa.
The all-time leaderboard now stands:
Joe Torre — 84 postseason wins
Dave Roberts — 71
Tony La Russa — 71
Roberts cannot catch Torre during the NLDS, but the record could become attainable if the Dodgers make another extended October run.
Los Angeles would need 10 additional victories to win the World Series. If the Dodgers secured all 10, Roberts would finish the postseason with 81 career wins—three behind Torre.
That would place the record within reach during a future postseason.
Sustained October Success Created The Opportunity
Postseason win totals are influenced by playoff formats and the number of opportunities a team receives, but Roberts has continued putting himself in position to accumulate them.
The Dodgers have reached October in every season since he took over in 2016. During that stretch, Los Angeles has advanced to multiple World Series and won championships in 2020, 2024 and 2025.
Roberts has also navigated the Dodgers through very different postseason circumstances.
Some teams entered October as overwhelming favorites. Others dealt with major injuries, inconsistent bullpens or rotations that required constant adjustment.
The results have not been perfect, and several early exits remain part of his record. However, reaching 71 postseason wins requires more than regular-season dominance. It requires repeatedly surviving playoff rounds against baseball’s strongest teams.
Game 4 Carries Two Different Stakes
The historical milestone will not be Roberts’ primary concern Wednesday.
The Dodgers lead Atlanta 2–1 in the best-of-five series and have an opportunity to advance without returning to Dodger Stadium for a winner-take-all Game 5.
Tyler Glasnow will start for Los Angeles against Tyler Mahle as the Dodgers attempt to secure their third consecutive NLCS appearance.
If they win, Roberts will move ahead of La Russa and stand alone behind Torre.
If Atlanta extends the series, Roberts will have another opportunity to claim the milestone in Game 5.
Either way, the record provides additional perspective on what the Dodgers have accomplished during his tenure.
Roberts is not merely approaching one of the highest postseason win totals among active MLB leaders. He is approaching one of the highest totals the sport has ever seen.
One more Dodgers victory would send Los Angeles to the NLCS and move Dave Roberts into sole possession of second place in MLB postseason history.