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The Dodgers Way–To the World Series”

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It wasn’t easy, but they are going back there, there being the World Series.

In the new era of analytics, the Dodgers got timely hits from unexpected people, and cobbled together a bullpen dayi, to close out the Atlanta Braves, win the NLCS and earned the ticket to the World Series.

It was not easy, and it never seems easy for the Dodgers of Manager Dave Roberts.

Never easy either for GM-Andrew Friedman and all his analysts, who spend more time with charts and graphics than you can believe.

Unsung heroes everywhere.  Start with the MVP type outfielder.  Superstar Mookie Betts goes over the rightfield wall to pull back what looked like a home run ball in mid game.  His fourth big catch of the postseason.

The Dodgers left the bases loaded mid-game when it looked like they were ready to blow it open.

Hot young pitcher Dustin May was told he was going to get the ball at 1:30pm, but he was gone after struggling thru the first inning.  He looked like he had stage fright early, giving up a run.

Tony Gonsolin was asked to give them innings but he gave up runs and hits that put the Blue behind early.

But the Braves were dealing with same situation.  Starting pitcher Ian Anderson looked gassed and gave way early, as Atlanta faced the prospect of a bullpen day too.

Atlanta hurt itself, running into a double play when they had 2nd and 3rd and none out, only to get one guy thrown out at home plate in a rundown and the trailing running nailed at third.

Enter hero two in the game.  Keke Hernandez pinch hit home run tied the game in the 7th..

The third hero, who had won prior games with his bat and glove, changed everything.  Cody Bellinger polled a long home run in the 7th to get the lead.

Julio Urias came out of the bullpen and gave them quality innings in a long relief  outing.

All this entering the 9th and LA still had Kenley Jansen, Joe Kelly, Aaron Karolek and even Clayton Kershaw if they needed in the bullpen.

Urias retired 9-in a row coming out of the bullpen.  Atlanta’s big batting order got one base runner in the final 6-innings of the game.

Atlanta had not been to the World Series since 1999.  That streak continues.

The Dodgers haven’t won the World Series since 1988.  Now they get a chance facing Tampa Bay.

Flashback pictures of the series will also include that 11-run first inning against Atlanta.  The multiple days of second guessing of the manager’s use-misue of the bullpen too.  But in the end, look who’s playing in the Fall Classic.

They did it with big innings, big home runs, sparkling defensive plays, and a bullpen day in the most important game of the World Series.  They did it coming from a 3-1 deficit in roaring back to beat the Braves.

Going back for the 3rd time in four years.  A pretty good run.  Now we see if they can finally win a World Series ring and complete the mission..

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