The Dodgers sure gave fans plenty to stress about during their NLCS battle with the Atlanta Braves. After being faced with a 3-1 series deficit, the Boys in Blue rallied back to win three straight and punch their ticket to their third World Series in the past four years. Of course, none of it would’ve been possible without the immense boost that Corey Seager provided throughout the whole series.
Corey was crushin'.
Your #NLCS MVP is @coreyseager_5.
(MLB x @chevrolet) pic.twitter.com/QZaZw3UDeP
— MLB (@MLB) October 19, 2020
Over the course of the Championship Series, Seager batted .310 with a 1.230 OPS 5 home runs (most by a shortstop in a postseason series) as well as 11 RBIs. The 26-year-old continued his MVP-caliber season with some key hits that energized the dormant Dodgers’ offense. There’s no doubt that Seager deserved to be the NLCS MVP, but if it wasn’t for his herculean effort, Julio Urías or Mookie Betts may have done enough to capture the award.
Julio Urias is the second reliever to close out a winner-take-all game with at least 3 no-hit innings.
The other? Pedro Martinez in Game 5 of the 1999 ALDS, when he threw 6 no-hit innings. pic.twitter.com/cFcSPiSuSI
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 19, 2020
It’s hard to imagine that Julio is still just 24 years old with the way he carries himself. The young lefty fired 8 innings (1 start) allowing 3 hits, 1 walk, and a run while striking out 6. He was responsible for the Dodgers’ first win in Game 3. Urías was also called upon shut down the Braves in relief during Game 7. Julio fired three shutout innings to earn his second win of the series and advance the Dodger to the World Series.
Who did it better?
RT for Mookie Betts, like for Mookie Betts. #NLCS pic.twitter.com/2CfS8aBSjt
— MLB (@MLB) October 19, 2020
While Julio had his moments to shine, Mookie Betts did Mookie Betts things. Betts didn’t have the type of series that Seager had with the bat, but he compiled multiple highlights that will be remembered for years to come. Whether it was robbing Marcell Ozuna of extra bases or Ronald Acuńa Jr. of a home run, Mookie did it all defensively. It’s obvious that his catches sparked energy in the Dodgers dugout and shifted the momentum multiple times.
This will be the Dodgers third chance in four years to capture that elusive World Series title. It’ll take a little more magic from all three guys here against a Tampa Bay team loaded with quality arms. However, in the words of Dave Roberts, “This is our year!”