While there understandably came exuberance with the Los Angeles Dodgers winning their first World Series since 1988, somewhat lost in the celebration was their 3-1 deficit in the National League Championship Series.
That in its own right was a rollercoaster. A refresher from facing the Atlanta Braves:
- Game 1: A 1-1 tie going into the ninth inning amounted to a 5-1 loss for the Dodgers
- Game 2: Dodgers trailed 7-0 in the seventh inning and left the tying run at third in the ninth
- Game 3: A record 11 runs in the first inning
- Game 4: Dodgers give up six runs in the sixth, lose 10-2
The Braves were a formidable opponent and the Dodgers had a bullpen game coming in Game 5 (and Game 7). And yet, they didn’t quit.
- Game 5: Will Smith’s three-run homer in the sixth gives the Dodgers a lead
- Game 6: Walker. Freaking. Buehler.
It all led to winner-take-all Game 7. The Dodgers fell behind 2-0 in the first two innings, they tied it in the third but then conceded the lead again in the fourth. It was everything an unattached fan could want, and everything Dodger fans had likely come to hate.
Then came the sixth inning, when pinch-hitter Kiké Hernandez led off with a game-tying home run that must not be forgotten.
Then came the seventh inning and what holds as one of DodgerBlue.com’s top moments from the 2020 postseason.
With the Dodgers down to what could be their final nine outs (although the game was tied), they sent three of their best hitters to the plate: Max Muncy, Smith and Cody Bellinger.
Muncy struck out. Smith struck out.
And after failing to capitalize on a no-out double in the sixth, hope was waning. Up stepped Bellinger, who was 0-for-1 with two walks on the night — and just 3-for-23 in the series with nine strikeouts.
Strike. Ball. Ball. Strike. Foul ball. Foul ball. Foul ball.
And then, Atlanta reliever Chris Martin made a mistake, because on the fifth sinker of the at-bat, Bellinger uncorked his patented swing-like-your-life-depends-on-it cut and launched a 400-foot home run into the right-field seats.
As with most Bellinger homers, it was a no-doubter — which made the moment even sweeter as he was able to stand and admire it (with the requisite bat flip of course) as the Dodger bench went bananas behind him.
Best Dodgers moments of 2020 postseason
No. 7: Kiké Hernandez adds to list of clutch home runs
No. 8: Julio Urias closes out World Series
No. 9: Clayton Kershaw throws out Manuel Margot trying to steal home
No. 10: 11-run first inning in Game 3 of NLCS
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