As the Los Angeles Dodgers looked to add a right-handed hitter to their group of position players at the trade deadline this season, it led to reuniting with Kiké Hernández by way of a deal with the Boston Red Sox.
Hernández appeared to be a likely traded candidate amidst his struggles with the Red Sox and their roster crunch, but returning to the Dodgers came as a surprise. It nevertheless was a welcomed one for the super utility man, as he was excited to again be part of a World Series contender.
Unfortunately for Hernández and the Dodgers, their 2023 postseason run lasted all of three games as they were swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League Division Series.
During an appearance on “Foul Territory,” Hernández discussed some of the challenges the Diamondbacks posed and the lingering effects of a rare off day after Game 1:
“We played great baseball, especially in August. August was sick. September was up and down, but nobody expected us to go out the way we did. Especially getting swept. All credit to the Diamondbacks, man. I’m not surprised anymore. I keep telling people, ‘When aren’t you going to be surprised? Whenever they win the World Series?’ They have a great team.
“They came from behind twice on the road against the Brewers; they were down three in both games. Then they come to us and did what they did to Kersh in the first and added on in the second, and it just never stopped.
“Then we get a day off, a random day off after Game 1. It was tough to regroup because there was weird energy, especially with what had just happened in Game 1. So we get a day off and have to just sit and wait. Then in Game 2 they got to Bobby early and we weren’t able to come back. It just felt like a gut punch that we couldn’t recover from. Game 3, I thought for sure we were going to come back in Game 3 and send a statement, come back in the series.
“They had one good inning and it was enough for them. Their pitching has been really good. Their lineup has been really good as well, but I think their pitching is what’s gotten them to where they are right now.”
The Dodgers used the off day between NLDS Games 1 and 2 to hold an optional workout at Dodger Stadium that Hernández and most players participated in.
When previously discussing the Diamondbacks as part of his role on the “Peloteros” broadcast on truTV of the NL Championship Series, Hernández touted the D-Backs as a dangerous team that had generated plenty of momentum in October.
Arizona started the postseason 5-0 before coming from behind after consecutive losses in the NLCS and despite facing elimination as it shifted back to Citizens Bank Park.
Kiké Hernández embraces postseason pressure
After the Dodgers lost the first two games to the Diamondbacks, manager Dave Roberts made lineup changes for Game 3, which included starting Hernández.
The pressure-packed moment was one Hernández explained he’s plenty comfortable with due to his prior postseason experience and also playing competitively in Puerto Rico.
Hernández then proceeded to go 2-for-4 with one RBI in the Dodgers’ elimination loss.
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