The Los Angeles Dodgers have been no strangers to postseason heartbreak in recent years. Yet, on the brink of another early exit, they showed they’re not going down without a fight. Facing elimination in Game 4 of the National League Division Series (NLDS), the Dodgers roared back to life with an 8-0 blowout victory over the San Diego Padres, keeping their World Series hopes alive and forcing a decisive Game 5 back at Dodger Stadium.
Backs Against the Wall
For the Dodgers, it hasn’t always been pretty in recent postseasons. Their relationship with October baseball has been filled with frustration, including early exits and disappointment over the last few years. But on Wednesday night at Petco Park, the Dodgers finally delivered the type of response their fans had been waiting for, showcasing the grit and determination that have made them a perennial powerhouse in Major League Baseball.
“We have a bunch of grinders and a bunch of fighters,” said outfielder Mookie Betts after the game. “We knew this wasn’t going to be easy. Nothing’s easy. And so you just gotta take whatever cards you’re dealt and play them. And that’s what we’ve been doing.”
Facing a Padres team looking to close out the series, the Dodgers were the ones who looked more comfortable under pressure. From the first pitch, Los Angeles set the tone and, for the first time in this series, played like a team unwilling to see its season end.
Bullpen Saves the Day
The Dodgers’ starting pitching had been a weakness throughout the postseason, leaving manager Dave Roberts with limited options for Game 4. Instead of turning to a traditional starter, Roberts rolled the dice and entrusted his bullpen to carry the load—a move that paid off in spectacular fashion.
In a game where every out mattered, the Dodgers used a total of eight relievers, all of whom combined to deliver a masterclass in pressure pitching. Veteran Ryan Brasier got the start and handled the first four outs with ease before handing the ball to left-hander Anthony Banda, who ended a two-out threat in the second inning.
From there, it was a bullpen relay, with each arm rising to the occasion. The Dodgers’ relievers attacked the Padres’ hitters relentlessly, refusing to give them any breathing room and holding them scoreless. It was a pitching performance for the ages, with catcher Will Smith calling it “fantastic.”
“They were all fantastic,” Smith said. “Attacking the zone, putting guys away, put up nine zeroes, and we needed that tonight. Credit to those guys keeping us in it.”
A Glimmer of Hope
History shows that teams who win Game 4 while trailing 2-1 in a best-of-five series have a 56% chance of completing the comeback in Game 5. The Dodgers will be hoping that trend continues as they return home to Dodger Stadium for the do-or-die final game. However, winning a winner-take-all game at home has historically been a toss-up in MLB, with teams holding a 62-66 record in such games.
Still, the Dodgers’ confidence in their bullpen has been unwavering. Alex Vesia, one of the Dodgers’ many key relievers, praised the collective effort of the bullpen and its ability to rise to the occasion.
“We’ve said it all year. Our bullpen is special,” Vesia noted. “We’ve got eight, nine, 10 guys that can all come in [during] very high-leverage situations, and I think it shows. The script for us can be written in many different ways and we use that in our favor, big time.”
A Showdown at Dodger Stadium
Now, with the series tied 2-2, all eyes turn to Game 5 at Dodger Stadium, where the Dodgers will try to complete their comeback and send the Padres home for good. The crowd will be behind them, but the stakes couldn’t be higher as the season comes down to one game. The Dodgers are counting on their momentum—and their bullpen—to carry them through.
“It’s all about fighting back,” Betts said. “We’ve done it before. We’ll do it again.”
With the stakes sky-high and both teams fighting for their postseason lives, Friday’s winner-take-all showdown promises to be an unforgettable contest.
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