The Dodgers had their backs against the wall heading into Thursday’s Game Five of the NLCS, trailing the Braves 3-1 in the series for a second straight year. Last year, they were able to erase that deficit and advance to the World Series, ultimately winning it all over Tampa Bay. They are still the more talented team on paper this year as well, but the Braves pitching has been better, and things lined up for Atlanta to take this game and the series with Max Fried on the mound.
But that’s not what happened. Instead of the Braves getting another great pitching performance to keep the Dodgers down long enough for the Atlanta offense to get a few across, the Dodgers just crushed Atlanta pitching all night.