The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves 5-3 on Saturday, October 3rd, taking a 1-0 lead in the NLDS.
The Dodgers entered the game with a week off, and they looked rested and ready to face a Braves team coming off a war with the Philadelphia Phillies.
The offense shows life
The Dodgers will win through their pitching, defense, and experience this October, but the offense will need to do its part and support other facets of the game.
Luckily, many hitters showed renewed life in Game 1 of the NLDS.
Kyle Tucker finished 2-for-4 with a two-run home run. He had a tough regular season, and while he finished strong, the outfielder needs a good October. This was a good first step.
Additionally, Teoscar Hernandez, another guy who struggles through most of the season but turned things on late, hit his own two-run homer to open the scoring.
Finally, Muncy hit a solo shot for the fifth run, giving the Dodgers a 5-1 lead after six innings.
Three home runs for a team like the Dodgers, who lacked pop, is a welcome development. In total, the Dodgers had eight hits and three walks.
Tarik Skubal, Bullpen shake-off rust
Skubal, in his postseason debut for the Dodgers, allowed two hits and two walks and punched out seven batters over six innings.
With it feeling like 105 degrees on the field, Skubal battled the heat and left the game after just 94 pitches.
He was dominant for most of the game, but Skubal struggled in the sixth inning, grinding through the only spot where he gave up a run.
The Dodgers followed it up with Brock Stewart and Alex Vesia, both of whom had scoreless innings.
Tanner Scott came in for the save, gave up a leadoff single and then a two-run shot to make it 5-3, but he got two more outs before bringing in Evan Phillips.
Phillips allowed a walk himself, but he eventually got a groundout.
