Dodgers Beat Braves to Reach Third Straight NLCS

Dodgers seal the series

The Los Angeles Dodgers are heading to their third straight National League Championship Series. They secured their spot with a 4-1 win over the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday night. This victory gave the Dodgers a 3-1 win in the best of five matchup.

Andy Pages was the hero in the seventh inning. With the bases loaded, he hit a single up the middle off Robert Suarez to drive in two runs. That hit brought home Teoscar Hernandez and Tommy Edman, breaking a 1-1 tie and giving the Dodgers a 3-1 lead. Max Muncy then sealed the win in the ninth inning with a solo home run off Raisel Iglesias. It was Muncy's 19th postseason home run for the franchise.

How the game played out

The Braves took an early lead in the first inning. Michael Harris II singled on the very first pitch from Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow. Harris then stole second and scored on a wild pitch.

The Dodgers leveled the score in the second inning with help from two Atlanta errors. Shohei Ohtani walked, stole second, and reached third on a bad throw by catcher Sean Murphy. Muncy then hit a pop fly that shortstop Mauricio Dubon dropped, allowing Ohtani to score.

Glasnow struggled with his control, walking five batters in four and two thirds innings but only giving up one hit. The Dodgers bullpen was excellent. Four relievers combined with Glasnow to allow only three hits in total. Edgardo Henriquez earned the win after throwing scoreless innings, while Edwin Diaz got the save.

Injuries and lineups

The Dodgers played without second baseman Miguel Rojas due to lower back soreness. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed Rojas was not available to play. Meanwhile, Teoscar Hernandez had a scary moment when he crashed into the wall in the sixth inning but remained in the game.

For the Braves, Ronald Acuna Jr. started in right field despite suffering from right knee soreness the day before.

The Dodgers will now face either Milwaukee or San Diego in Game 1 of the NLCS on Sunday.