Los Angeles Dodgers fan favorite Kike Hernandez spoke about his relationship with Edwin Diaz and his importance to the team ahead of NLDS Game 4 against the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday.
Hernandez and Diaz both played for Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic in 2017 and 2023, and Hernandez spent time with the team for the 2026 tournament while recovering from an elbow injury, but the duo have known each other for far longer than that.
Diaz struggled throughout most of the year, dealing with injuries for the majority of the season, but has been solid since returning midway through September. He has made seven appearances since coming off of IL, throwing seven shutout innings while allowing just two hits and one walk.
How Did Kike Hernandez and Edwin Diaz Contribute in Game 3
In Game 3, Diaz came into the ninth inning and shut the door on the Braves, allowing just one hit while preserving the Dodgers’ two-run lead.
“Huge, it’s amazing,” Hernandez said of Diaz’s shutdown performance in Game 3. “I haven’t had that through my entire career, to play with too many Puerto Rican guys. There’s so few of us in the league that in 13 years, I’ve only played with a handful.
“I’ve known Sugar since before we got drafted. …I’ve been admiring his career very proudly from afar. I’m very proud of what he’s gone through. When he’s on he’s as good of a closer as anyone in baseball and that’s what we’re seeing right now”
Hernandez contributed in his own way during the Dodgers’ 3-1 win Tuesday, opening the scoring in the fourth inning with a two-run homer off of All-Star left-handed pitcher Chris Sale, who threw a complete game against the Dodgers last time he faced them.
How Has Kiké Hernandez Performed This Postseason?
Hernandez’s homer is his only hit this postseason through four at-bats, but he has the opportunity to make some noise on Wednesday, as he earned a start at second base with his uplifting performance on Tuesday.
The 13-year veteran is one of MLB’s most acclaimed postseason risers, hitting 17 home runs across 11 seasons of playing in October—level with legends of the game like David Ortiz, Aaron Judge and Jim Thome.
He has a .832 OPS in the postseason throughout 105 games, and will be a key player for the Dodgers throughout the remainder of their run. A win on Wednesday would clinch the NLDS for the Dodgers, securing their spot in the NLCS to face either the San Diego Padres or Milwaukee Brewers.
Hernandez will look to make a difference in Game 4, which begins at 3:00 p.m. PT.
