MLB: Dodgers Close Out Giants On Controversial Check Swing Call, Advance To NLCS

Before we descend into hysteria and discuss the call that ended the National League Division Series, sent the LA Dodgers to the NLCS, and ended the San Francisco Giants historic season, let’s get one thing straight: game five of the NLDS was an instant classic. 

The Dodgers emerged victorious with a 2-1 win over the Giants in a pitchers duel between two clubs that had each won 109 games before Thursday night’s series-deciding game at Oracle Park. 

All season long, the two clubs battled for the NL West crown, with a playoff matchup in October to decide the better team always on the horizon. 

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts threw a curveball at the Giants in game five, going with an “opener” to start the game, not bringing in starting pitcher Julio Urias until the third inning. Roberts gamble worked, with the LA staff giving up only one run on eight hits while striking out 13. 

As could be expected, Mookie Betts was the best player on the field for LA, going 4-4, including a single and a stolen base in the sixth inning that led to the Dodgers’ first run of the game.  

Much-maligned outfielder Cody Bellinger came up big when the Dodgers needed him most, driving in Justin Turner in the top of the ninth with a single to right off Giants reliever Camilo Doval. 

CODY BELLINGER. pic.twitter.com/quEWBFR5hc

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 15, 2021

Bellinger battled injuries all year long — playing in just 95 games and hitting an anemic .165 in the regular season — but the former NL MVP made Dodgers fans forget all about his regular-season struggles with one swing of the bat. 

“You don’t think about being that guy,” Bellinger said. “When the opportunity is there and the moment is there, you just try to stay simple and stay within yourself. “

Trade deadline acquisition Max Scherzer came in to close the game in the ninth, earning the first save of his career. 

“Knowing you have, I guess, an ace in the hole is a good feeling,” Roberts said. “I just wanted to try to find the ultimate leverage spot to deploy him. Just how the game played out, it made a lot of sense.”

But, try as we might to appreciate the beauty of the game, we can’t go any further without discussing the last out of the night — a disastrous and terrible check swing strike called by first base umpire Gabe Morales. 

Morales