GAME SEVEN // NL TITLE DODGERS VS BRAVES

Dodgers edge Braves 4-3 to advance to World Series

The Los Angeles Dodgers are heading to the World Series after defeating the Atlanta Braves in a tight Game Seven of the National League Championship Series.

Cody Bellinger's 400 foot solo home run in the bottom of the seventh inning put the Dodgers ahead for the first time Sunday night. The Dodgers were able to hold on to their 4-3 lead to win the game and punch their ticket to the World Series, last reaching the final hurdle in 2018.

The Braves again miss their shot at a World Series title, as they blew a 3-1 lead over the Dodgers. The Dodgers are deserving of their place in the World Series, having the best record in baseball over this hectic and tumultuous MLB season.

Both teams sent young pitchers to the mound to start this game, putting pressure on these young men to win this series for their respective teams. 23 year old Dustin May started on the mound for the Dodgers and 22 year old Ian Anderson started for the Braves. Anderson's previous time starting in a game that's win or go home was his senior year of high school.

May's inexperience showed, as his first eight pitches were balls and he walked the first two batters that he faced from the Braves. Marcell Ozuna singled to left, driving in lead-off batter Ronald Acuna Jr. to put the Braves up 1-0 in the top of the first. 

The Braves put another run on the board in the top of the second, when Dansby Swanson hit a solo home run to center field.

The Dodgers begun to fight their way back into the game in the third inning. Max Muncy doubled to right field and pushed Justin Turner to third, who had reached base on balls. The Dodgers' Will Smith's single drove in both runners and tied the game at two a piece. 

Ozzie Albies and Swanson were both walked to start the top of the fourth inning. Austin Riley's single drove in Albies, putting the Braves back on top 3-2 and advancing Swanson to second. The Dodgers were able to slow the bleeding with a crucial double play on bad base running from Atlanta. Nick Markakis' grounder got Swanson caught in a rundown heading home and Riley trying to advance to third.

Los Angeles nearly hit back in the bottom of the fourth. The Dodgers had the bases loaded with two outs, but a fastball from Tyler Matzek had Max Muncy from the Dodgers swinging at air for strike three and keeping the score at 3-2 in favor of the Braves.

The game was quiet until the bottom of the sixth inning, when pinch hitter Enrique Hernandez for the Dodgers tied the game at three with a solo home run. 

Bellinger's solo home run in the next inning put Los Angeles up 3-2 and secured a spot in the 2020 World Series for the Dodgers. 

The Dodgers have had successful seasons in years past, winning the National League pennant in three of the past four years. LA hasn't been able to get the job done in the World Series, last winning a ring in '88. 

Catch Game One of the 2020 World Series Tuesday night at 8 p.m. as the Dodgers battle it out with American League champions Tampa Bay Rays.

by JT Farabow

Oct. 20, 2020