LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers kicked off their season in South Korea amid a scandal surrounding Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter and battled numerous injuries throughout the summer that included every pitcher in their starting rotation. Yet, on Sunday, they celebrated into the night as the stadium played “I Love LA.”

For the fourth time in just eight years, the Dodgers are heading back to the World Series after defeating the New York Mets, 10-5, at Dodger Stadium, clinching the National League pennant with a 4-2 series victory.

They will now face off against the New York Yankees in the World Series, marking the highly anticipated LA-NY showdown, starting Friday night at Dodger Stadium.

“It’s been an incredible journey,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts remarked. “Our players have been incredibly focused and determined, showing a tremendous spirit and fight.”

“On a personal level, I’m just lucky to have amazing people around me, especially the players. I truly appreciate being here; it’s something special for me.”

“Moments like these must be cherished. I’m extremely proud of our team.”

The enthusiastic sellout crowd showed their appreciation by remaining in their seats to enjoy the celebration, rather than leaving early to avoid traffic.

“Being able to do this in front of our loyal home fans means everything,” stated Dodgers infielder Enrique Hernandez. “Our fan base is incredible; they show up for us consistently, and we consistently lead the league in attendance.”

“I believe our fans travel exceptionally well too. No matter where we are, we see a significant number of blue jerseys in the stands. Celebrating at home holds special significance for us as we get to share this moment with them.”

For the Dodgers, winning the World Series and holding that long-awaited parade is the ultimate dream.

They secured the championship in 2020, but the celebrations were muted due to COVID, as they played the finals at a neutral site in Arlington, Texas, where they distributed masks instead of popping champagne.

Since their last parade in 1988, when they stunned the Mets in the NLCS and triumphed over the Oakland A’s in the World Series, they have been waiting for this moment.

Now they are just four wins away from achieving that goal.

According to the Dodgers, once they advanced past the San Diego Padres in the NL Division Series, they were confident about reaching the World Series. The toughest hurdle during the regular season came in mid-September when they were informed that starter Tyler Glasnow would miss the entire year, causing concern about how to assemble their starting rotation in October.

“There was a lot of panic because of the numerous injuries we faced,” said Dodgers left fielder Teoscar Hernandez. “We lost many pitchers, and it was a tough moment for us.”

Roberts, known for holding few team meetings, brought everyone together for a crucial talk that resonated throughout the regular season, the Division Series, and now the World Series.

“My message was straightforward: I can’t believe in them more than they believe in each other. They need to have faith in themselves,” Roberts shared. “I truly felt we had enough talent among us to succeed.”

The team took his words to heart, propelled by that encouragement, and they haven’t looked back since.

“That one meeting changed everything,” Teoscar Hernandez noted. “We recognized our potential and the strength of our roster. We are still the Dodgers and capable of achieving something special with the healthy players we have.”

Having also made smart trades at the deadline, they brought in the injured super utility player Tommy Edman from the St. Louis Cardinals.

Edman has not only taken on the role of the starting shortstop and cleanup hitter but has also emerged as the team’s most valuable player and the NLCS MVP. He set a franchise record with 11 RBIs during this series, including a two-run double in the first inning and a two-run homer in the third.

This series will certainly be remembered for its unique nature, with every game decided by four or more runs, and Sunday’s game being the sole game featuring a lead change.

The Dodgers utilized seven different relief pitchers to secure their spot in the World Series. While the performance wasn’t flawless, with Michael Kopech struggling during the first inning—walking two batters, throwing a wild pitch, and counting himself lucky to leave the first inning trailing only 1-0.

After managing just two hits against Mets starter Sean Manaea in Game 2, the Dodgers unleashed their offense, putting pressure on him early in the night. Manaea lasted only two innings, surrendering six hits and five earned runs—his shortest outing since April 2023 when he played for the San Francisco Giants.

“This was the first time we faced him with his new arm angle,” Enrique Hernandez explained. “I think in that game, we were trying to score a lot of runs with a single swing rather than following our usual postseason strategy—doing our part to keep the lineup moving.”

However, the Dodgers executed their game plan perfectly, with four of the first six batters getting on base, leading to every player (except rookie Andy Pages) reaching base by the end of the night, and five different batters contributing to runs scored.

As they prepare for the World Series, the Dodgers find themselves with only three healthy starting pitchers: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty, and Walker Buehler, alongside a struggling All-Star first baseman, Freddie Freeman.

This begins the second game of this series.

“I’m not a fan of excuses,” Roberts mentioned. “I prefer not to hear them. Throughout a lengthy baseball season, a lot of unexpected events can happen, but we’ve got several talented players.”

“Yet, what truly matters is not my thoughts, but rather their confidence. They believe they are the best.”

Here’s a recap of how Sunday’s match progressed:

Dodgers add three runs, leading 10-4 as ninth inning approaches

The Dodgers feel the momentum of the World Series.

Los Angeles tacked on three more runs, establishing a solid 10-4 advantage as they headed into the final inning. Chris Taylor and Shohei Ohtani both got on base at the beginning of the inning, and Mookie Betts drove in a run with a double. Following that, Teoscar Hernandez executed a sacrifice fly to right field, allowing Ohtani to score and extend the lead.

Tommy Edman reached base via a fielder’s choice after Betts was out at home plate, and Max Muncy walked. Kiké Hernández then connected for a single through the right side, adding another run.

Dodgers are just three outs away from the World Series

LOS ANGELES — Blake Treinen came on to close it out.

The Dodgers’ relief pitcher struck out three batters in the eighth inning, taking down key players in the Mets lineup: Brandon Nimmo, Mark Vientos, and Pete Alonso. The Dodgers now stand just three outs away from making it to the World Series.

Mets manage a run in the seventh

LOS ANGELES — The Mets are still in the game, with Francisco Alvarez contributing a run to make the score 7-4.

Tyrone Taylor and Jeff McNeil both hit singles back-to-back, putting Taylor on third base. Alvarez followed with a sacrifice fly to right field that was deep enough for Taylor to score.

Shohei Ohtani brings in a run: Dodgers leading 7-3

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani continues to shine when runners are in scoring positions.

After falling behind with an 0-2 count, the Dodgers’ star battled to a full count against Ryne Stanek and hit a ball to center field that Tyrone Taylor failed to catch; it bounced off his glove, allowing Will Smith to score from second to bring the score to 7-3.

Mets leave the bases loaded once again

LOS ANGELES — The Mets’ struggle with runners in scoring positions is becoming detrimental, as they again left the bases loaded.

Francisco Alvarez kicked off the sixth inning with a single, but after two outs, Mark Vientos and Pete Alonso both walked against Evan Phillips. Jesse Winker had the chance to capitalize, but his weak fly ball to shallow left was caught by Teoscar Hernandez, ending the inning without any runs scored.

Currently, New York stands at 1-for-8 with RISP and has stranded 11 runners.

Mark Vientos homers to narrow the lead

LOS ANGELES – Mark Vientos keeps up his impressive October run, helping the Mets stay in Game 6 with a home run.

With Francisco Alvarez on base, Vientos hit a slider from Ryan Brasier 401 feet into center field for a two-run homer, tightening the game to 6-3. It marks his fifth postseason home run.

Will Smith’s two-run homer extends lead to 6-1

The Dodgers are on fire.

Will Smith added his team’s second two-run home run of the inning, this time off Phil Maton with two outs, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and increasing the Dodgers’ lead to 6-1 as they moved into the fourth inning.

Tommy Edman stays hot with a two-run homer: Dodgers lead 4-1

LOS ANGELES — Tommy Edman is making a strong case for NLCS MVP.

Having already contributed a two-run double in the first inning, he followed up in the third, sending a fastball from Sean Manaea 406 feet to left-center field with Teoscar Hernandez on base, bringing the score to 4-1.

Edman’s total RBI in this series has now reached an impressive 11, tying a Dodgers postseason record.

Manaea then walked Max Muncy on his next at-bat, concluding his night.

Mets again leave bases loaded, now down 2-1

LOS ANGELES — After just three innings, the Mets have already stranded several runners.

New York managed to load the bases in the third inning with Jeff McNeil batting, but Anthony Banda got him to swing and miss on a slider in the dirt, ending the inning. To date, the Mets are 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position and have left seven on base.

Tommy Edman’s two-run double puts Dodgers ahead 2-1

The Mets’ brief lead quickly evaporated following a two-run RBI from Tommy Edman, one of Los Angeles’ standout players.

Shohei Ohtani singled, and two batters later, Teoscar Hernandez narrowly missed a home run, setting up Edman with runners on the corners. After fouling off three pitches from Sean Manaea, Edman finally connected on a fourth pitch, hitting a line drive into the left-field corner that allowed both runners to score and put the Dodgers up 2-1.

This marks the series’ first lead change.

Mets score due to first-inning error

LOS ANGELES — New York gets on the scoreboard in the opening inning against Dodgers pitcher Michael Kopech.

After Francisco Lindor walked on four pitches, a wild pitch moved him to second base, and a groundout by Brandon Nimmo advanced him to third. With two outs, Pete Alonso sent a flare into the infield, but second baseman Chris Taylor’s throw to first base was wayward, allowing Lindor to score and putting the Mets up 1-0. Taylor was charged with an error on the play.

Today’s Mets lineup: NLCS Game 6

1. Francisco Lindor (S) SS
2. Brandon Nimmo (L) LF
3. Mark Vientos (R) 3B
4. Pete Alonso (R) 1B
5. Jesse Winker (L) DH
6. Starling Marte (R) RF
7. Tyrone Taylor (R) CF
8. Jeff McNeil (L) 2B
9. Francisco Alvarez (R) C

Dodgers lineup for NLCS Game 6

1. 1. 1. Shohei Ohtani (L) DH
      2. Mookie Betts (R) RF
      3. Teoscar Hernández (R) LF
      4. Tommy Edman (S) SS
      5. Max Muncy (L) 1B
      6. Enrique Hernández (R) 3B
      7. Andy Pages (R) CF
      8. Will Smith (R) C
      9. Chris Taylor (R) 2B

    

   Michael Kopech Takes the Mound for the Dodgers

   While Ryan Brasier was the starting pitcher for the Dodgers in the first two bullpen games during the playoffs, Dave Roberts has decided to hand the ball to Michael Kopech for Game 6. Since joining from the White Sox at the trade deadline, Kopech has been the most effective reliever for the Dodgers and has not allowed a run in the 2024 playoff series.

   “We all agreed that Michael fits well into our lineup,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated prior to the game. “He has experience as a starter. We believe he gives us the best opportunity to keep the score at zero in the first inning and build from there.”

   Freddie Freeman’s Injury: Dodgers First Baseman Out for Game 6

   “We all felt that giving Freddie another day off is the best decision for him,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts in a pregame update on Sunday. “He might be available for a late at-bat, but for defensive purposes—he had a solid batting practice yesterday and felt okay. However, he doesn’t seem to be fully himself yet, so we believe an extra day might be beneficial.”