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Dodgers facing elimination in ‘Dream bracket’

The Bulldog takes the mound for Game 6

By Blake Harris

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Los Angeles Dodgers v San Diego Padres Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

The Dodgers are facing elimination in the MLB “Dream Bracket”. After winning game 1, the Dodgers dropped three consecutive games to the Reds to fall behind 3-1 in the series. LA won Game 5, and will now turn to Orel Hershiser in a win-or-go-home game for the Dodgers.

Here’s how the series has played out so far:

Game 1: LAD 14, CIN 9

Game 2: CIN 1, LAD 0

Game 3: CIN 5, LAD 4

Game 4: CIN 6, LAD 0

Game 5: LAD 5, CIN 1

If you want a recap from the series up to this date, MLB.com has you covered.

The Reds came out swinging in Game 1, scoring nine runs against a Dodgers team that allowed just 2.6 runs per game over the first three rounds — and still came away on the losing end. Cincinnati forced Sandy Koufax from the game after 4 2/3 innings, but Reds starter Tom Seaver lasted only 4 1/3 innings while giving up six runs. All seven pitchers who appeared in this contest allowed at least one run, but the Dodgers outhit the Reds, 15-8, and Cincinnati struck out 16 times in Los Angeles’ 14-9 victory in the opener.

After the offensive onslaught in the opener — a contest in which each team rolled out a Hall of Fame starting pitcher — Game 2 was an absolute pitchers’ duel between a pair of hurlers not enshrined in Cooperstown. José Rijo, the 1990 World Series MVP, held the Dodgers to just two hits over eight scoreless and Rob Dibble slammed the door with a perfect ninth to lift the Reds to a 1-0 victory.

Barry Larkin delivered a go-ahead RBI single in the eighth inning off Dodgers starter Orel Hershiser, marking the only blemish for either starter.

Game 3 featured another dramatic finish, with Reds outfielder George Foster hitting a walk-off homer in the 11th inning to give the Reds a 5-4 win — and a 2-1 series lead. Cincinnati pulled out the victory despite atypical performances from Pete Rose (0-for-5) and Johnny Bench, who went 0-for-5 with five strikeouts.

The Reds kept the momentum rolling in Game 4, with three-time All-Star Mario Soto delivering another remarkable pitching performance for Cincinnati. Soto held the Dodgers scoreless over 8 2/3 innings before Don Gullett came on to strike out Cody Bellinger for the final out. Offensively, the Reds scored six runs (five earned) off Dodgers starter Don Drysdale, who had tossed 25 consecutive scoreless innings entering this contest.

Facing elimination in Game 5, Koufax stepped up with a vintage performance. The three-time Cy Young Award winner allowed just one unearned run over 7 2/3 innings, while striking out nine and walking none, to extend the series with a 5-1 Dodgers victory. Roy Campanella, Duke Snider and Pee Wee Reese each homered off Seaver to provide the offense.

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