NLCS 2017: Updated playoff bracket
After taking the National League Championship Series over the Chicago Cubs, the Los Angeles Dodgers are going to the 2017 World Series.
It was an accomplishment 20 years in the making, as the Los Angeles Dodgers claimed the National League Championship with a decisive 11-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs in Game 5. The Dodgers jumped out to a 3-0 series lead over the Cubs until Chicago took Game 4 to force Game 5, but back-to-back trips to the World Series was not in the cards for Chicago this year.
Los Angeles hasn’t been to the World Series since 1988, and after five consecutive postseason appearances over the past five years, they’re on their way.
The Dodgers were the dominant team throughout the NLCS. Though the Cubs got on the board first in the first four games, the Dodgers bats answered and the bullpen held the Cubs scoreless through the end of the game.
The four days of rest clearly made a difference for the Dodgers. They saw a 5-2 win in Game 1, but the game everyone talked about was Game 2. The score was tied at one apiece through the game until Justin Turner’s 3-run walk-off homer in the 9th to give the Dodgers a 4-1 victory. The Dodgers powered through Game 3 6-1, but the Cubs came back in Game 4 and pulled out a 3-2 run. Game 4 was a home run derby with all of the runs scored coming by way of long balls.
Game 5 put the series to rest after the Dodgers jumped out to a 9-0 lead in the 4th inning. Enrique Hernandez set a new record with 7 RBI, including his grand slam, a solo home run and a two-run homer. The Dodgers’ 11-1 victory put the NLCS to bed and they now move on to the World Series.
The Dodgers will now wait to see how the American League Championship Series shakes out. The New York Yankees hold a 3-2 lead over the Houston Astros, with Game 6 scheduled for Friday, October 20 at 8 p.m.ET.
Next: Ranking every World Series winner
Game 1 of the 2017 World Series takes place on Tuesday, October 24 at time to be determined pending the completion of the ALCS.