Dodgers Survive Nationals, Advance to NLCS

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals pulled out all the stops in Game 5 of their Divisional Playoff, with moves and countermoves of players worthy of any win or go home scenario one could imagine. Though only seven total runs were scored, and the game lasted the usual nine innings, it took a whopping four hours and 32 minutes to complete the epic game, which included a one hour and six minute seventh inning. In the end, the Dodgers won 4-3 and will face the Chicago Cubs in Game 1 of the NLCS on October 15th.

The Nationals took a 1-0 lead in the 2nd inning, which held until the 7th inning when the Dodgers scored all four of their runs. Washington countered with two runs in the bottom of the inning, but the L.A. bullpen held after that. In an elimination game, the entire pitching staff is considered to be available to pitch, except for the starter of the previous game. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had said that Game 4 starter Clayton Kershaw would not be available to pitch, except that he was, and did. Kershaw, who has had an uneven career in the post season, got the final two outs to earn a save, his first in the majors.

The American League Championship Series with Cleveland at Toronto gets underway October 14th. Game 1 of the World Series will be on Tuesday October 25th at the home field of the American League Champion.