Say, “not since 1988,” and everybody in Los Angeles knows what you’re talking about.

Fans are tired of suffering through it. Players and management are tired of hearing about it. But no constituency will be satisfied until the Dodgers win another World Series. The way the Dodgers have dominated the regular season, is this the year?

“When the season’s closed down and we start the playoffs, none of that means anything,” said outfielder AJ Pollock, who endured an 0-for-13 postseason last year with 11 strikeouts. “We start over and everything goes back to zero. Hopefully, me personally, and the team, can just keep this thing rolling.”

How do the Dodgers advance out of the National League Wild Card Series?

The Dodgers have complained that this year’s unique rules don’t reward them for dominating the regular season. But the rules call for them playing the entire Wild Card Series at home, where they went 21-9. Looks like an advantage. The rules also allow for a 28-man roster, and since the Dodgers have the deepest talent, their extra three players are better than anybody else’s. Sounds like another advantage. So, with all of that, how do they avoid another first-round elimination like last year’s by the Nationals?

Maybe not having fans in the stands will be an unintended benefit. Maybe the Dodgers won’t feel the pressure of the postseason if it doesn’t feel like the postseason.

One of the reasons the Dodgers eliminated the Brewers in seven games in the 2018 National League Championship Series was neutralizing Christian Yelich (.179 batting average). Of course, Yelich was an MVP that year and a disappointment this year.

What does the blueprint for a championship run look like?
If the Dodgers have proved anything over this eight-year dynasty of the NL West, it’s that the “best” record or “best” team or “best” roster aren’t enough to get the job done in October. Being the ”best” team on paper is, well, meaningless in October. It takes being clutch, and they haven’t been since 1988.

They have the most explosive offense. They have the most versatile and relentless bullpen. They have glittering starting pitcher stats despite departures of Hyun Jin Ryu, Kenta Maeda and Rich Hill by protecting the rookies and shifting workload to relievers. They have Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler. Yet, no ring.

Speaking of relievers, quit blaming closer Kenley Jansen for everything and accept him for what he still is – one of the best in the business, even if he’s not what he was three years ago. He’s not Mariano Rivera. Get over it. There’s plenty of blame to lay before the game ever gets to Jansen.

If the Dodgers are to end the World Series drought, it’s up to Cody Bellinger, Corey Seager, Pollock and Mookie Betts to step up. Yes, even Betts. Justin “Mr. October” Turner can’t do it by himself. That’s proven. Max Muncy has had his moments. So have Chris Taylor, Joc Pederson, Buehler, Kershaw and occasionally others. But Bellinger, Seager, Pollock and Betts haven’t had a ring-worthy offensive postseason, not even Betts when his Red Sox beat the Dodgers in 2018. He did homer against the Dodgers. He also hit .217.

You want more numbers? Fine, here are their career postseason slash lines, and they’ll bring tears to the eyes:

Bellinger: .178/.234/.326
Seager: .203/.275/.331
Pollock: .111/.200/.333
Betts: .227/.313/.341

Those aren’t just from one bad series. It’s their career performances.

You want a ring? The Dodgers went 5-for-37 with runners in scoring position while getting bounced in the first round last year by Washington. That’s not how to win a ring. Somebody needs to be clutch at the plate. Somebody needs to be Kirk Gibson, who not only had the iconic homer in 1988 but had a .957 career postseason OPS with home runs in each of five October series.

There better be a Mickey Hatcher somewhere. A World Series demands the extraordinary. With today’s micromanagement, it’s almost impossible for a starting pitcher like Orel Hershiser to carry a club to a parade. This isn’t about analytics or openers or matchups or roster depth. Those get you to October. This is about being a hero. Heroes win rings.

What is one reason for concern?
Health. While injury numbers throughout the game in this trying season are frightening, the Dodgers’ medical department has done a remarkable job keeping its players on the field. That said, two of their most important pieces -- Buehler (blister) and Turner (hamstring) -- missed significant time in September, and Betts left Saturday’s game after getting drilled in the left hip. The early clinching provided healing time for Buehler and Turner, but those are the kinds of injuries that often recur, especially under the stress of the postseason. It’s hard to imagine a good outcome if any of them isn’t a big part of it.