A shocking and unforgettable ending catapulted the Dodgers into the National League Championship Series, overcoming what was arguably their toughest playoff challenge yet. The drama was palpable: did Philadelphia Phillies’ reliever Orion Kerkering really misplay a routine ground ball that could have ended their season? Yes, it actually happened. With the bases packed, Kerkering made a critical error that let the Dodgers snatch a thrilling 2-1 victory in 11 intense innings at Dodger Stadium, clinching the National League Division Series in stunning fashion.
This win was more than just timely—it was clutch. Just when a loss would have sent the series back to Philadelphia for a decisive Game 5, the Dodgers summoned their resilience, pushing back hard to eliminate the favored Phillies 3-1 in the series. This triumph now paves their path toward defending their World Series title, marking their second straight chance at baseball’s ultimate prize.
What’s truly fascinating—and highly unusual—is how it all fell apart for the Phillies. In the 11th inning, after Tommy Edman singled and moved to third, Max Muncy followed with another single. Kiké Hernández then drew a walk, loading the bases. Up next was Andy Pages, a player who’d been battling an abysmal .053 playoff batting average and had failed to get a hit in his prior four tries. Pages hit what should have been a straightforward ground out, but Kerkering’s panic-stricken throw sailed wildly past catcher JT Realmuto, far beyond reach. This blunder allowed pinch-runner Hyeseong Kim to score the winning run, leaving Kerkering frozen in disbelief while the Dodgers erupted in celebration.
How often does a postseason play end on such a boneheaded mistake? This error instantly transformed the game and series outcome in one spectacular, heartbreaking moment.
Now, the Dodgers advance to the NLCS, where they’re expected to be heavy favorites against either the Milwaukee Brewers or the Chicago Cubs. If the Dodgers advance past this upcoming challenge, they will enter the World Series as strong favorites once again, facing the American League’s best—who, frankly, will seem like underdogs compared to them.
This series with the Phillies was essentially a mini-World Series itself. Remember last October’s nail-biting five-game series against the San Diego Padres before cruising to the championship? This matchup had that same intensity. Both teams were the cream of the crop, but the Dodgers showed once again why they thrive under pressure, refusing to back down or crumble.
The pitching duel was a spectacle, with Dodgers’ Tyler Glasnow and Phillies’ Cristopher Sanchez locking down the game through six scoreless innings. However, the Phillies struck first in the seventh inning through a sequence involving a single, an error by Dodgers’ reliever Emmet Sheehan, and a double by Nick Castellanos. The Dodgers answered quickly at the bottom of the seventh with two walks, a single, and a bases-loaded walk drawn by Mookie Betts against Phillies’ closer Jhoan Duran, setting the stage for the fateful error that would decide the fate of the series.
Leading into the playoffs, the Dodgers faced harsh criticism. Many pointed to their late-season struggles, including a blown no-hitter in Baltimore that symbolized their faltering bullpen depth and impatience at the plate. The general consensus was that the Dodgers were destined for another disappointing early October exit. But, as it turns out, no one understood the truth better than the players themselves.
Max Muncy captured it perfectly: “I think it comes down to the guys in our clubhouse. We have tons of experience, top-tier talent, and we’ve been here before. We know what it takes.”
The confidence inside Dodger Stadium was unshakable. Despite moments of uneven play earlier in the season, the team maintained faith in their identity and each other. “Even during rough patches, no one in that clubhouse pointed fingers,” Muncy said. “We trusted who we were.”
Their performance against the Phillies proved just how formidable the Dodgers remain. And yet, Muncy hints there’s still untapped potential. “I still believe there’s another gear,” he said. “We haven’t fully reached our ceiling yet. Whether we’re close or not, I think there’s an even higher level we can achieve.”
When asked what would signal that achievement, Muncy simply said, “You just know.” This poised confidence left everyone resonating with anticipation, while the rest of baseball watched with a mixture of awe and apprehension.
And here’s the bold question: Will the Dodgers fully unlock that next gear and stamp their dominance with back-to-back World Series titles? Or will their rivals find a way to break this resilient team? The debate is wide open—what do you think?
