 |
| A heated NLDS is headed for its thrilling conclusion. We get you ready for the Friday night showdown in L.A. Harry How/Getty Images |
Dodgers Rally Behind Newfound Edge
The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the 2023 postseason with a roster full of star players and high expectations. Yet, despite their talent, it wasn’t until they discovered a new edge—one born out of injuries and a determination to prove doubters wrong—that they truly came alive. That edge became their rallying cry as they faced off against the San Diego Padres in a thrilling National League Division Series (NLDS), which they won 2-0 in a decisive Game 5.
Max Muncy and the Dodgers’ Resilience
In the face of mounting injuries and a powerful Padres lineup, Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy shared the message that had been circulating in the team’s group chat: "F--- them all." It was a rallying cry that encapsulated the Dodgers’ fighting spirit as they pushed through injuries and close games to ultimately triumph over their division rivals.
Dodgers Defy Expectations Against the Padres
The Dodgers, boasting high-profile signings like Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, and Teoscar Hernandez, came into the series as underdogs. Although they captured their 11th division title in 12 years with a 98-win season, many experts predicted a Padres victory. San Diego’s lineup was healthy and balanced, its bullpen deep, and its offense on fire. But the Dodgers, determined to prove they were still the best team in baseball, responded by channeling their underdog mentality.
"We know who we are," Muncy declared. "We’re the f---ing best team in baseball, and we’re out there to prove it."
Postseason Stars Shine in Game 5
Kiké Hernandez and Teoscar Hernandez delivered in Game 5 with solo home runs, giving the Dodgers an early lead that would hold for the rest of the game. Kiké, who rejoined the Dodgers for this postseason run, had a history of visualizing his success in playoff games. He imagined himself hitting a home run the night before, and he delivered when it mattered most, blasting a fastball 428 feet to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Teoscar followed suit in the seventh, clobbering a 420-foot homer to extend the lead to 2-0.
Yamamoto Rises to the Occasion
On the mound, Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw five shutout innings in his biggest MLB start yet. Despite a rocky regular season debut, Yamamoto showcased his ace-level talent, commanding a fastball that hovered around 97 mph throughout the game. His performance, coupled with stellar bullpen work from Evan Phillips, Alex Vesia, Michael Kopech, and Blake Treinen, held the Padres scoreless and secured the Dodgers’ spot in the National League Championship Series (NLCS) against the New York Mets.
More About : Dodgers
Dodgers’ Relentless Spirit Drives Victory
Manager Dave Roberts likened the Dodgers’ win to some of his most memorable postseason experiences, calling this team uniquely relentless and resilient. "I believe in this team more than any team I've had," Roberts said, comparing the win to the Dodgers’ 2020 comeback against the Atlanta Braves and his historic 2004 comeback with the Boston Red Sox against the Yankees.
In the end, the Dodgers held the Padres scoreless over the final 24 innings of the NLDS, making it the third-longest shutout streak to close a postseason series in MLB history. As they move on to face the Mets, the Dodgers carry with them an unshakeable belief that has been tested and forged in the fires of doubt and adversity.
As Kiké Hernandez put it: "We have a lot of 'F U' in us."
Post a Comment
0 Comments