Dodgers: Advance To 2018 World Series; Cody Bellinger Named NLCS MVP

The Los Angeles Dodgers crawled out of one more hole, and survived Josh Hader and game seven in Milwaukee. As a reward and result of their 5-1 victory over the Brewers – they will represent the National league in the 2018 World Series. Of course, this is the second straight year that the Dodgers won the pennant.

#WorldSeries, here we come! pic.twitter.com/tnJQdpvidN

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— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 21, 2018

Uniquely, Cody Bellinger became the youngest NLCS Most Valuable Player in Dodgers history. Obviously, Bellinger’s key moments in the game four epic along with what he did in the deciding game seven were factored.

Here is Bellinger adding to his hardware mantle:

NLCS MVP: @Cody_Bellinger pic.twitter.com/p8OVfN2g14

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 21, 2018

How It Happened:

Christian Yelich hit a solo home run off Walker Buehler in the bottom of the first inning. With the Brewers holding a 1-0 lead, the Dodgers responded immediately. Manny Machado laid down a perfect bunt in a 3-2 count, Bellinger provided the signature moment of the game next.

C?DY. pic.twitter.com/pYVHgtdfso

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 21, 2018

Then, the Dodgers held a 2-1 lead that they would not relinquish; and that lead would surely grow. Brewers’ starter Jhoulys Chacin would last just two innings before Milwaukee would bring in Josh Hader. Hader was as advertised, and in his three innings of work he allowed just one hit while striking out four. Without question, Hader extended Milwaukee’s opportunity to get back in the ballgame.

Still, the Dodgers survived Hader by working counts; scratching and clawing for every extra delivery. It felt like Los Angeles could feel Hader’s time growing short, and it summoned momentum from within the Dodgers dugout. At the same time, Walker Buehler was electric.

Buehler went 4 and 2/3 innings, striking out seven with no walks. His lone mistake was the home run allowed to Yelich. He was pulled in favor of Julio Urias at just 73 pitches; and Urias promptly disposed of Yelich to end the bottom of the fifth inning. That preserved the one-run lead. This was in part due to Chris Taylor making one of the finest catches you will ever see.

EXHALE. pic.twitter.com/de5G5qfUBR

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 21, 2018

With the Dodgers through Hader – one could sense they were about to do more damage.

In the top of the sixth, Max Muncy singled through the left side. Justin Turner singled to left field. With two outs, Yasiel Puig delivered the blow that would let Dodgers fans relax just a little bit.

Lucky charm. pic.twitter.com/zhSbqWrjtu

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 21, 2018

The three-run homer came off embattled reliever Jeremy Jeffress. The Dodgers led 5-1, and needed a dozen outs. They would go Ryan Madson to Kenley Jansen to Clayton Kershaw to collect those outs.

The trio was electric – allowing just one hit over the final four innings of work. Madson became the pitcher of record with his second win of the series. Furthermore, Dave Roberts went to Kenley Jansen in the seventh inning with a bold move. Jansen looked as good as he has all season long – striking out three of four batters faced and lacing 96 mile per hour cutters at the knees.

Fittingly, Clayton Kershaw would come out of the bullpen in the bottom of the ninth and get the final three outs to send the Dodgers to the World Series. Kershaw struck out Mike Moustakas to end the game, and the celebration began.

NEXT STOP: #WorldSeries! pic.twitter.com/ZB1MIfaiui

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 21, 2018