Dodgers Win NLCS
The Dodgers took the sixth game of the 2024 NLCS, 10-5, behind a four-RBI game from Tommy Edman, who was named NLCS MVP. It is the first time that the Dodgers clinched the NL Pennant or World Series at Dodger Stadium since winning Game 7 of the 1988 NLCS, 6-0, over the Mets.
The Dodgers are advancing to their 22nd World Series overall and their 13th World Series since moving to Los Angeles after appearing in nine World Series while in Brooklyn. Since the LCS moved to its current seven-game format in 1985,the winner of the sixth game of the NLCS has advanced to the Fall Classic 22 times (84.6%). Los Angeles has won the National League Pennant in four of the last eight years including 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2024.
The Dodgers will meet the Yankees in the Fall Classic, with Game 1 scheduled for Friday night here at Dodger Stadium. It will be the 12th time that the storied franchises have played each other in the World Series, the most frequent World Series matchup in Baseball history. Previously they faced off in 1981, 1978, 1977, 1963, 1956, 1955, 1953, 1952, 1949, 1947 and 1941. Overall, the Yankees’ 41 World Series appearances and the Dodgers’ 22 World Series appearances are the most and second-most, respectively, of any Major League club.
Tommy Edman Named NLCS MVP
Tommy Edman was named NLCS MVP after hitting safely in all six games of the series going 11-for-27 (.407) with a homer, 11 RBI, three doubles, five runs scored, a stolen base and a 1.023 OPS. Other Dodgers to win NLCS MVP include: Corey Seager (2020); Cody Bellinger (2018); Chris Taylor (2017); Justin Turner (2017); Orel Hershiser (1988); Burt Hooton (1981); Steve Garvey (1978); and Dusty Baker (1977). Edman, who was born in Pontiac, Michigan, is the first NLCS MVP to be born in Michigan and just the second Postseason MVP (WS, ALCS or NLCS) that was born in Michigan, joining Kirk Gibson, who was named ALCS MVP in 1984.
Edman put the Dodgers ahead, 2-1, in the first inning with a two-run double to score Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernández. The double marked the first lead change of the entire series, with the team scoring first going 5-0 in the series entering tonight. In the third inning, Edman ripped a two-run home run to give the Dodgers a 4-1 lead, marking his 10th and 11th RBI of the series. His 11 RBI are tied for the most by a Dodgers player in the NLCS with Corey Seager, who also drove home 11 runs in the 2020 NLCS. Overall, Edman’s 11 RBI are tied for the third-most in a single LCS (AL or NL) with Seager (2020 NLCS), Melvin Upton Jr. (2008 ALCS) and David Ortiz (2004 ALCS) and trails only Adolis GarcÃa (15 RBI, 2023 ALCS) and Nelson Cruz (13 RBI, 2011 ALCS).
With his two hits tonight, Edman finished the series with three consecutive multi-hit games, marking the first time a Dodgers player had three consecutive multi-hit games in a single Postseason since Justin Turner in Games 1, 2 and 3 of the 2015 NLDS. Edman is one of five Dodgers players to hit safely in each of their first six games of a single NLCS, joining Justin Turner (2020); Carl Crawford (2013); A.J. Ellis (2013); and Mike Scioscia (1988). Overall, Edman has a hit in nine of his 11 games this Postseason and his 11 hits are the most in an NLCS, surpassing Chris Taylor’s 10 hits in 2021. Edman’s 11 hits are tied for the most in a Dodgers’ Postseason series with Ron Fairly (1965 WS); Bill Russell (1978 WS); and Maury Wills (1965 WS).
According to Sarah Langs, Edman, who batted fourth tonight, is the fourth player in Postseason history to bat fourth and ninth within the same Postseason series, joining Aaron Hicks (2019 ALCS); Kiké Hernández (2017 WS); and Matt Joyce (2011 ALDS)
RallyAnimals
Will Smith hit a two-run homer in the third inning to cap off a four-run rally for Los Angeles. Along with Edman’s blast it was the 14th time in Postseason history that the Dodgers hit at least two home runs in a single inning and the first time since the second inning of Game 5 in the 2021 NLCS against Atlanta. Smith’s seven career Postseason homers as a catcher are the most by a Dodgers catcher and are tied for fourth-most as a
catcher in Postseason history with Gary Sánchez. The pair trails Jorge Posada (11 HR); Jason Varitek (11 HR); Hall of Famer Johnny Bench (10 HR); Javy López (10 HR); Travis d’Arnaud (10 HR); and Hall of Famer Yogi Berra (9 HR).
Rack ‘Em Up
The Dodgers outscored the Mets 46-26 (+20) in the series, marking just the third time in LCS (AL or NL) history that a club outscored their opponent by at least 20 runs in the series. Previously the 1996 Braves outscored the Cardinals by 26 runs in a seven-game series and the 2017 Dodgers outscored the Cubs by 20 runs in a five-game series. There have been four World Series in which a club outscored their opponents by at least 20 runs including the 2001 Diamondbacks; the 1960 Yankees; the 1936 Yankees and the 1910 Athletics.
The Dodgers’ 46 runs are the most by a National League club in any Postseason series surpassing the previous mark of 44 runs set by the 1996 Braves in the NLCS and matched by the Giants in the 2002 World Series. Overall, Los Angeles’ 46 runs in the series are third-most in a single Postseason series trailing the 1960 Yankees (55 runs in World Series) and 2007 Red Sox (51 runs in ALCS).
All six games in this series were decided by four-or-more runs, marking the second series in Postseason history where each of the first six games have been decided by at least four runs. The only other time it has happened was the 1965 World Series between Twins and Dodgers, when the first 6 games were decided by 4+ runs.
Get On Base
Shohei Ohtani tallied two hits and drew a walk, reaching safely 17 times in the NLCS. With his single in the sixth inning, he reached safely 16 times in the series, setting a new Dodgers single-series record in the Postseason. Max Muncy also reached 17 times in the series, reaching twice tonight via a pair of walks and a hit-by-pitch. Previously Corey Seager (2020 WS); Manny RamÃrez (2008 NLCS); and Jim Gilliam (1955 WS) held the record, reaching 15 times each in their respective series.
The Dodgers drew 42 walks in the NLCS, marking the most in a single Postseason series. It is just third time in Postseason history that a club had at least 40 walks in a single series. Los Angeles joins the 2011 Cardinals, who drew 41 walks in the World Series and the 1997 Indians, who drew 40 walks in the World Series.
He’s Just a Kid
Mark Vientos hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning, marking his 13th and 14th RBI of the Postseason, setting the Mets’ single-Postseason mark. He surpassed by John Olerud in 1999 and Curtis Granderson in 2015, who each drove home 12 RBI in the Postseason. Vientos is the sixth player in Postseason history aged 24-or-younger with at least 14 RBI in a single Postseason, joining B.J. Upton (16 RBI in 2008); Kyle Tucker (15 RBI in 2021); Albert Pujols (14 RBI in 2004); Carlos Correa (14 RBI in 2017); and Juan Soto (14 RBI in 2019). Overall, Vientos hit .327 (18-for-55) with five homers, 14 RBI, two doubles, three walks, eight runs scored, a .362 on-base percentage and a .998 OPS this Postseason.
