LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers are trying to become the first Major League Baseball team to win consecutive championships in a quarter century, since the New York Yankees won three straight titles from 1998-2000. But in winning the National League pennant on Friday, they have already cleared a hurdle that also puts them in select company.

The Dodgers are the 38th defending champion to return to the World Series, and the first to do so since the Philadelphia Phillies in 2009.

“I think we’re prepared. I know we’re focused. You’ve got to play well. I know we’re not going to beat ourselves,” manager Dave Roberts said this week, when asked about any pitfalls of trying to repeat as champions. “We’re going to have to get beat. If somebody is going to beat us, they’re going to have to beat us. That’s

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