It took every single bit of the season, having to go to a game 163, but the Dodgers have now won their sixth straight NL West Division title.
They did it despite seemingly the rest of the NL West conspiring against them. They did it despite an absolutely dismal 16-26 start, and once being nine games back in the division. They did it on the backs of Max Muncy and Walker Buehler, who both started the year in Triple-A. Even though it took all season, the Dodgers were the cream of the West and they finally rose to the top.
Buehler was absolutely lights out. He had a no-hitter going into sixth inning, when Charlie Blackmon finally broke through with a single. He was removed with two outs in the seventh, and his final line was one hit, three walks, three strikeouts and 6-2/3 scoreless innings. He also singled in Kiké Hernandez in the bottom of the 6th to pad the lead to 5-0.
The Dodgers took a 2-0 lead on a home run by Cody Bellinger in the fourth inning, after Max Muncy took first on a passed ball strike three. The Dodgers extended their lead on a two-run homer off the bat of Muncy in the fifth inning.
Pedro Baez, Scott Alexander and Kenta Maeda combined to pitch scoreless seventh and eighth innings.
Kenley Jansen came in to close it out in the ninth, and immediately surrendered two consecutive solo home runs to Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story. He pulled it together, and took care of the next three batters to seal the win.
The Dodgers will now welcome the NL East champs Atlanta Braves to Chavez Ravine on Thursday to open the NLDS.
Everyone still refers to Kershaw the THE Ace of the staff and he’ll be the one to start twice if the Atlanta series goes five games, but today showed us who the best pitcher in the Dodger rotation is, and his name is Walker Buehler. By next season, I think that will be universally accepted.
I remember reading a scouting type article a couple of off seasons ago by somebody saying, Buehler would be a number 3 starter at best. Wish I could remember who it was, and see what they have to say now. The way he handled the pressure today shows, he should have no problem with the rest of the playoffs
Back then it was probably #3 behind Kershaw and Urias Keith. It’s possible before Kershaw’s current deal is up he will be #3 behind Buehler and Urias.