:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57232627/863377548.0.jpg)
The Dodgers are back in the World Series for the first time since 1988. They had to beat the Cubs to get there, and did so convincingly, so here is a look at some memorable takeaways from the National League Championship Series.
Bullpen untouchable
The Dodgers bullpen allowed no runs in 17 innings during the NLDS, allowing just four hits and one walk, with 22 strikeouts. Dating back to Game 2 of the NLDS, the Dodgers bullpen has 23 consecutive scoreless innings, setting a major league record per the Game 5 TBS television broadcast.
Dodgers fewest runs allowed in a postseason series
| Series | Opponent | G | R | R/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series | Opponent | G | R | R/G |
| 1963 WS | Yankees | 4 | 4 | 1.0 |
| 1981 NLDS | Astros | 5 | 6 | 1.2 |
| 2017 NLCS | Cubs | 5 | 8 | 1.6 |
| 2008 NLDS | Cubs | 3 | 6 | 2.0 |
| 2009 NLDS | Cardinals | 3 | 6 | 2.0 |
| 1981 NLCS | Expos | 5 | 10 | 2.0 |
- Kenta Maeda has retired all 15 batters he faced this postseason, with 7 strikeouts
- Kenley Jansen retired 13 of 14 batters in the NLCS, hitting one while striking out 8
- Brandon Morrow retired 14 of 16 batters durng the NLCS, allowing one hit and one walk, with 7 strikeouts
- Tony Watson retired all 7 batters he faced in the NLCS, with 2 strikeouts
Stingy staff
Dodgers pitchers were especially tough, allowing just eight runs in the five-game series, posting a 1.64 ERA in 44 innings. The 1.6 runs per game is the second-fewest runs allowed by the Dodgers in a postseason series, trailing only the 1963 World Series, during which the Dodgers permitted just four runs total in a four-game sweep of the Yankees.
The Cubs hit .156/.193/.299 as a team.
Dodgers held the Cubs to an OBP of .193 in the series, which is the lowest OBP in a best-of-seven series since 1905
— Jeff Sullivan (@based_ball) October 20, 2017
Dodgers pitchers held Kris Bryant (4-for-20) and Anthony Rizzo (1-for-17) to just 5-for-37 (.135) for the series, with Bryant’s home run down 9-0 in Game 5 the only extra-base hit for the duo in the NLCS.
RISPy business
The Cubs were 0-for-14 with six strikeouts with runners in scoring position during the NLCS. Their entire offense during the series consisted of seven home runs — six solo shots, and a two-run shot.
The Cubs are the first team ever, in a postseason series of 4 or more games, to score all their runs via home runs. #NoRally
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) October 20, 2017
The Dodgers were 20-for-82 (.244) with three home runs, three doubles, two triples and 12 walks with runners in scoring position.
Controlling the zone
Dodgers pitchers during the NLCS had 53 strikeouts and 5 walks.
Dodgers batters during the series had 41 strikeouts and 28 walks.
Power-packed
The Dodgers, who set a franchise record with 221 home runs in 2017, hit 10 home runs in five games in the NLCS, their most home runs in any postseason series.
With 28 runs scored in five games, the Dodgers tied for their fourth-most runs in any postseason series. The only series in which they scored more runs were all seven games in length — the 1955 World Series (31 runs scored), the 1988 NLCS (31), and the 1947 World Series (28).
Game 5, in which the Dodgers scored 11 runs, marked the seventh time in franchise history they have scored 10 or more runs in a game.
Team effort
Justin Turner. and Chris Taylor had memorable series, and captured co-NLCS MVP honors. Here are few other notable performances in the NLCS:
- Yasiel Puig hit .389/.500/.611, leading the team in hits (7) and runs scored (6)
- Charlie Culberson hit .455/.417/.818 with a triple and two doubles
- Kiké Hernandez tied the major league record with three home runs in a postseason game, and tied the record with seven RBI in Game 5
- Logan Forsythe had a .429 on-base percentage in the NLCS, and this postseason has reached base 11 times in 24 PA (.458 OBP)