20 Best Dodgers Playoff Games to Watch
A few days ago, I provided a list of 18 classic regular season games from the past to tide fans over as the 2020 regular season continues to be delayed. Now it’s time for the best postseason games to watch as well! Luckily, these are more readily available in their full length online, so they can more easily pass the time.
1955 World Series – Game 7
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a full film broadcast of this game. But if you really want to go old school, you can listen to the whole game’s original radio broadcast. Turn up the volume, close your eyes, and live the moment Pete Hamill described as “a combination of the Liberation of Paris, V-J Day, and New Year’s Eve.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDaL-euAtcU
1963 World Series Highlight Reel
Most of the times the Dodgers have squared off against the Yankees in October, both in Brooklyn and Los Angeles, the affair ended with heartbreak at the hands of the pinstripes. But the few times the Bums have managed to triumph were sweet, including this four-game sweep in 1963. Enjoy a vintage highlight reel narrated by Vin himself!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjmkVNG1_-M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r03ee4D-5Ug
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfKAugZfxNQ&t=12s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8OE2k4oZqo
1965 World Series – Game 7
The apogee of the original Los Angeles heyday in the ‘60s. After refusing to pitch earlier in the series in observance of Yom Kippur, Sandy Koufax sealed the title in game 7 in Minnesota, shutting down a mighty Twins lineup to do so. Here’s the full game, with Vin at the mic.
1978 NLCS – Game 4
Our most recent memories of facing the Phillies in the NLCS are, to put it mildly, painful. But this postseason rivalry started very much in the Dodgers’ favor, and the best moment came in this walk-off to send L.A. back to the World Series for the second year in a row.
1981 NLCS – Game 5
After a turbulent regular season highlighted by the magic of Fernandomania and the tribulation of the season-splitting player’s strike, the Dodgers faced the Montreal Expos in a white-knuckle NLCS that went the distance. (After dispatching, of all teams, Houston in a makeshift NLDS.) It was Rick Monday who sealed the deal, to the eternal torment of Montreal baseball fans.
1981 World Series – Game 6
After back-to-back losses to the Bronx Bombers in 1977 and 1978, the Dodgers finally got even in 1981. After falling behind 2-0, they won three straight to take a 3-2 series lead heading back to New York. In the final game for The Infield, Los Angeles purged their demons at Yankee Stadium with a royal thumping. It also led to the only three-way MVP in World Series history.
1988 NLCS – Game 4
An underrated classic both in Dodgers history and baseball history, this game features an incredible marathon of heart-stopping moments. Things looked grim until Mike Scioscia took Dwight Gooden deep in the 9th, and then it became an extra-innings, throat-in-your-heart battle.
1988 NLCS – Game 7
Just as he did all season, Orel Hershiser went above the call of duty all October long. Especially considering the Dodgers faced vastly superior Mets and Athletics teams, it’s no exaggeration to say he single handedly made the difference, including the NLCS clincher against New York.
1988 World Series – Game 1
“You talk about a roll of the dice, this is it!” You know this one like the back of your hand.
1988 World Series – Game 5
Another one that needs no introduction. The Bulldog capped off his historic season, and the Miracle Men’s improbable run, with one last complete game masterpiece. It’s a moment the Dodgers are still in search of replicating, but it never loses its luster.
2013 NLDS – Game 4
It should never be forgotten how magical the 2013 team was. After the 42-8 run lifted them from the cellar to an NL West title, they won the NLDS against Atlanta in a come-from-behind win on Juan Uribe’s bunt-turned-homer. Almost seven years later, it’s still thrilling to watch.
2016 NLDS – Game 5
After back-to-back NLDS exits in 2014 and 2015, the stakes were high to avoid the same fate in 2016 against Washington. Things looked grim through the first six innings, but a game-tying blast by Joc Pederson in the seventh turned things around. A subsequent rally, as well as above-and-beyond bullpen efforts by Kenley Jansen and Clayton Kershaw, sent them to the NLCS.
2017 NLCS – Game 2
Perhaps the greatest Dodger moment of the 2010s. 29 years to the day of Gibson’s blast, Justin Turner did it justice with his own walk-off blast for the books. Bonus points to the bullpen for locking things down to set that moment up.
2017 NLCS – Game 5
Since 1989, my birth year, the Dodgers had underachieved year in and year out in their quest to even be in the World Series, let alone win it. In 2017, all that mediocrity was purged in an absolute shellacking of the Cubs, driven by Enrique Hernandez’s three-homer barrage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyVANmsIAWQ
2017 World Series – Game 1
When you haven’t been in a World Series in 29 years, you want to make the most of your return. The Dodgers did just that in game one, with NLCS co-MVP’s Chris Taylor and Justin Turner providing the offense while Clayton Kershaw, Brandon Morrow and Kenley Jansen dominated on the mound.
2017 World Series – Game 4
After the Astros cheating scandal, Houston’s 8-1 home record in the 2017 postseason now seems highly conspicuous. That sole loss was in this game, courtesy of Alex Wood’s wise decision to radically change up his signals. The Nationals perfected the strategy two years later to win the whole series against Houston, but this game still has a special glimmer in light of recent revelations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Wz5vIVPx_A
2017 World Series – Game 6
For some, the Astros scandal has reopened and made the wounds of 2017 even worse. While that’s understandable, it makes the fact that they went the distance in the World Series all the more admirable. It especially creates a chance to appreciate this game in particular.
There’s a lot of good stuff here worthy of remembrance: Brandon Morrow escaping a huge jam, Tony Watson’s second win of the series, the 6th inning rally, Joc’s oppo-taco, Maeda getting Altuve, and Kenley nailing a six-out save. In a fair fight, this likely would have been the clincher.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUg5qaQetJQ&t=6727s
2018 NLCS – Game 4
After an ugly, anemic performance in game 3, the Dodgers trailed the Brewers 2-1 in the series. But they evened things up in this marathon, highlighted by Cody Bellinger’s swan dive catch and his walk-off single in the 13th inning.
2018 NLCS – Game 7
30 years to the day of their last championship, the Dodgers finally outmuscled Milwaukee in an intense NLCS. Walker Buehler’s strong start, aided by Bellinger and Yasiel Puig home runs, proved just enough to secure the pennant.
2018 World Series – Game 3
It doesn’t get much bigger than this…literally. At 18 innings and just shy of six hours, it’s the longest WS game ever played by far. We well remember Muncy’s walk-off to finally win it, but there’s plenty else you probably forgot about in addition to Walker Buehler’s impeccable start. (Bellinger’s throw home! Kenta Maeda strikes out future Dodger Mookie Betts! Clayton Kershaw pinch hits!)
It was a downright torturous game to watch in real time, and perhaps it’s ridiculous to want to rewatch it uninterrupted. Then again, what else are you going to do with your time now?
Which was your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!
