The Los Angeles Dodgers have advanced to the National League Championship Series and will now face the New York Mets. This victory also marks Shohei Ohtani’s first postseason series win in his career.
The Dodgers, previously seen as underdogs in the NLDS against the Padres, managed to defeat their division rivals in five games.
During the crucial moments, the Dodgers’ offense heated up while their pitching was exceptional for the last 24 innings. They did not allow a single run to the Padres in their last 24 innings, aiming to keep that momentum going forward.
Additionally, the Dodgers’ superstar, Ohtani, will be competing in the first Championship Series of his career. As one of the best players in baseball, Ohtani has the opportunity to secure his first pennant and guide his team to the World Series for the first time since 2020.
Here’s how the 30-year-old reacted to winning his debut playoff series.
Ohtani’s performance in his first postseason appearance may not have been his best, but it was sufficient. In five games, Ohtani recorded a .200/.273/.350 slash line with a .623 OPS, four hits, one home run, four RBIs, and three runs scored in 20 at-bats.
This is the reason why the two-way superstar chose to join the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ohtani did not come to simply win the NL West division or one playoff series. His goal is to win World Series championships, and they are now just eight wins away from their first title since 2020.
However, facing the red-hot Mets in a challenging seven-game series will not be easy for the Dodgers. This significant matchup between two major markets for the NL pennant promises to be unforgettable and is the reason why Ohtani became a Dodger in the first place.
While 98 regular-season wins are commendable, achieving 11 wins in October holds far greater significance.
Ohtani and the rest of the team must elevate their performance if they wish to compete in the Fall Classic. The path to success runs through Los Angeles, and their journey will continue on Sunday at 5 p.m. PT.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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