Walker Buehler shows clutch gene in Dodgers’ Game 6 win vs. Braves

The Los Angeles Dodgers have come back from a 3-1 deficit to the Atlanta Braves to force a Game 7 in the NLCS.

The Atlanta Braves once held a 3-1 lead in the NLCS over the heavily-favored Los Angeles Dodgers. Many counted the Dodgers out, sensing that what we were watching was another disappointing end to the postseason. Oh, how things can change in just two days.

On Saturday, the Dodgers defeated the Braves 3-1 to force a tantalizing Game 7 following a dominating performance by starter Walker Buehler.

Dodgers have the chance to conquer their postseason demons

Buehler was a man on the mission for the Dodgers on Saturday evening. The 26-year-old right-hander threw for six innings, where he struck out six batters and allowed no runs on seven hits. Perhaps his greatest showing of the game came in the top of the second inning, as he faced a bases loaded situation with zero outs on the board following singles by Travis d’Arnaud, Ozzie Albies and Dansby Swanson. Most pitchers would have faltered in this situation, but not Buehler. He threw straight heat on 12 pitches, forcing strikeouts by Austin Riley and Nick Markakis and a groundout by Cristian Pache to get out of the jam.

The Dodgers gave Buehler all the run support he needed in the first inning. Los Angeles scored three runs in the bottom of the frame, two of which came on back-to-back solo home runs by Corey Seager and Justin Turner.

Atlanta narrowly got on the board in the bottom of the fifth inning. With Freddie Freeman on first base, outfielder Marcell Ozuna looked to have smashed a two-run bomb to left field to bring the Braves within a run. However, $365 million man Mookie Betts made an incredible leaping catch to prevent the homer and end the inning.

With a 3-1 lead, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts sent Kenley Jansen to the mound, which no doubt caused fans to enter full-on panic mode. Yet it was an undramatic showing for the closer, as he forced a line-out and fly-out by Riley and Markakis on consecutive pitches, while getting Pablo Sandoval to fly-out on three pitches to end the game.

The Dodgers and Braves will now face off in a pivotal Game 7 on Sunday night at 8:15 p.m. ET, where the winner will represent the National League in the World Series. Ian Anderson will start for Atlanta, while LA will most likely rely on Tony Gonsolin.

This is now the first time that both League Championship Series have reached a Game 7 since 2004. The Dodgers will look to reach the Fall Classic for the first time since 2018, while the Braves will try to prevent another heartbreaking Atlanta sports loss.