The National League Championship Series came down to a seventh and final game on Saturday. The Milwaukee Brewers were looking for a second World Series appearance in the history of their franchise, while the Dodgers were looking for a second straight appearance. Rookie SP Walker Buehler took the mound for LA, while the Crew sent their best big game pitcher and best starter with the ability to work deep into a game, Jhoulys ChacÃn.
Dodgers 5, Brewers 1
W: Madson; L: ChacÃn
Dodgers Win Series 4-3
Player of the Game: Yasiel Puig (3-4, 1 R, 3 RBI. 1 HR)
Dodgers rookie SP Walker Buehler came up just short of earning a Game 7 victory, allowing 1 run on 6 hits in 4.2 IP with 0 BB and 7 SO. His Milwaukee counterpart, Jhoulys ChacÃn, worked just 2.0 IP, with 2 runs allowed on 3 hits with 1 BB and 0 SO before being removed for RP and noted bigot Josh Hader, the Brewers’ best reliever. This strategy did not work out for the home team, as the visiting Dodgers were able to add three more runs and punch their ticket to the World Series.
The Crew opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st inning on a solo shot by OF Christian Yelich.
However, the Dodgers hit back in the top of the 2nd with a go-ahead 2-run bomb by OF Cody Bellinger scoring INF Manny Machado. Thanks to this go-ahead homer and walkoff single in Game 5, Bellinger was named this year’s NLCS MVP.
In the top of the 6th, OF Yasiel Puig hit a 3-run homer to drive in INF Max Muncy and Bellinger, giving the Dodgers a four-run advantage heading into the late innings.
Closer Kenley Jansen took the hill with two outs in the bottom of the 7th and worked 1.1 innings to hold off the Crew before handing the ball off to Clayton Kershaw, who appeared in relief to close out the game. Kershaw worked a perfect bottom of the 9th to give his team another shot at a World Series title.
The Dodgers will face the Boston Red Sox, who hold home field advantage due to their MLB-best regular season record, in the World Series starting on Tuesday night at 8:09 PM ET. Please consider supporting the site if you have enjoyed my postseason recaps!
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