Dodgers Nation Top Plays From Epic NLDS Series vs Padres
The Los Angeles Dodgers advanced to the National League Championship Series for the first time since 2021. Despite being down 2-1 in the NLDS, the Dodgers managed to win back-to-back games against the San Diego Padres.
Ahead of the first matchup with the New York Mets, here are the top Dodgers plays from the best-of-five series against San Diego.
Honorable Mention: Jack Flaherty vs. Manny Machado
Flaherty and Machado had one of the most viral interactions of the series. After the right-hander struck out Machado in the sixth inning, Flaherty told him to “sit the (expletive) down, (expletive).”
“I’m not going to take that from anybody,” Machado replied.
The two exchanged words as Flaherty left the mound and Machado went to the Padres dugout. As Yu Darvish warmed up to start the seventh inning, the chirps between the two continued.
Machado most notably said, “I will meet you outside.”
10. Teoscar Hernández Grand Slam
In Game 3 of the NLDS, the Dodgers faced a 6-1 deficit after a second-inning debacle by the defense. It looked as though the Padres had already won the game until Hernández hit a homer off Michael King with the bases loaded.
The lead for San Diego was cut down to a single run and the Dodgers suddenly had life again.
9. Mookie Betts Breaks Out of Postseason Slump
In the latter half of the NLDS, Mookie Betts proved to everyone who doubted him that he was the same great player he’s always been. Game 2 at Dodger Stadium featured a home run robbery by Padres outfielder Jurickson Profar.
Betts made sure that didn’t happen again and hit a solo homer off King in the first inning of Game 3. It was eerily similar to the previous bomb that was robbed by Profar, but this time, Betts proved he could make great plays in the playoffs.
In Game 4, Betts continued his hot streak with another home run in the first inning. The Dodgers star put the team on the board first and continued his performance with a base hit.
8. Blake Treinen Escapes Bases Loaded
In the series opener, Treinen escaped a jam in the top of the eighth. The Dodgers were up 7-5, but if Treinen had given up any runs it would’ve been costly.
Treinen struck out Donovan Solano for the final out. Dodger Stadium roared.
7. Dodgers Bullpen Strikes Out 8 in 9-Inning Shutout
The Dodgers bullpen came to play in Game 4 of the NLDS. Ryan Brasier struck out Fernando Tatis Jr. in the first. Anthony Banda retired Padres rookie Jackson Merrill. Michael Kopech struck out Kyle Higashioka with a 100-mile-per-hour fastball.
Alex Vesia retired Manny Machado and Higashioka with sliders. Daniel Hudson struck out Xander Bogaerts with a 95-mile-per-hour fastball.
Treinen retired Machado and Dodgers rookie Landon Knack struck out Jake Cronenworth.
6. Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s Clutch Game 5 Start
Yamamoto pitched five scoreless innings, which set the tone for the win-or-go-home matchup. The Padres lineup was silent. The $325 million man came through.
5. Michael Kopech’s 102-MPH Strikeout
After Vesia exited the game with an apparent injury, Kopech replaced him in the top of the eighth. The unplanned visit to the mound paid off. Kopech threw a 102 miles per hour, four-seam fastball to strike out Cronenworth for the final out of the frame.
4. Shohei Ohtani’s Game-Tying 3-Run Home Run
In Ohtani’s first postseason game of his career, the Dodgers superstar hit a three-run homer off Dylan Cease. Ohtani’s bomb tied the game at 3.
The Dodgers would go on to win Game 1, but Ohtani’s game-tying homer changed the trajectory of the matchup.
3. Kiké Hernández and Teoscar Hernández Game 5 Home Runs
The home runs from Kiké Hernández and Teoscar Hernández in Game 5 was the first time in MLB history that two players with the same last name each hit a solo homer for the same team, which also accounted for all the runs in the game.
The two homers from the Hernández duo were all the Dodgers needed to advance to the NLCS.
2. Dodgers Score 8 Runs Against Padres
Betts began the scoring frenzy with a solo home run in Game 4. A base hit by Ohtani brought in a run. A single by Betts brought in Kiké to put the Dodgers up 3-0.
Will Smith went yard in the top of the third. The two-run homer extended the Dodgers lead 5-0. The crowd at Petco Park was fairly quiet for the remainder of the game.
Tommy Edman laid the perfect bunt to bring Max Muncy home in the top of the seventh. Gavin Lux hit a two-run bomb into deep right field, making the final score 8-0.
The final runs were the icing on the cake for the clutch victory at Petco Park.
1. Dodgers Complete NLDS Comeback, Advance to NLCS
The final out of Game 5 came from Tatis after he hit a ground ball to Kiké at third. Kiké threw the ball to Muncy at first as Dodger Stadium roared. Comeback complete, a new postseason reputation born!
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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