Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Heading into Game 5 of the NLCS, the Los Angeles Dodgers were unable to hit any home runs in the first four games. They made up for it big time by hitting four homers in Game 5. All four of them were needed in order for Los Angeles to hang on to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals who managed to put up a rally themselves in the ninth inning, but came up short.
Zack Greinke managed to pitch another solid game, but the Dodgers were still only tied with the Cardinals before they went on a home run hitting rampage. If Los Angeles didn’t hit those four solo shots, the Cardinals may have been able to gain some momentum and win Game 5 to end the NLCS last night. However, the Dodgers didn’t let that happen, and the home runs were the big reason why. The Dodgers hit seven home runs in just five games against the Atlanta Braves, and they won that series. Against St. Louis the lack of home run power put them in a huge hole early. Los Angeles averaged one run per game that Greinke and Clayton Kershaw pitched in Games 1 and 2. That’s just not going to get it done regardless of how well your starter is throwing that night.
Related: ALCS: Jacoby Ellsbury and Boston Red Sox Top Three are Key to Game 5
Game 5 was a perfect time for the Dodgers to take the bats off their shoulders and start hitting balls out of the park. If they continue the hot hitting, they can push this series to Game 7 and even win it when it’s all said and done. However, if the Dodgers fail to hit anymore home runs against the Cardinals then Los Angeles will not see the World Series this year.
Michael Pidgeon is a Los Angeles Dodgers writer for Rant Sports.com: “Like” him on Facebook, Follow him on Twitter @PidgeonIsGod, or add him to your network on Google
