#dodgers

#dodgers

Teoscar Hernández went from being the subject of criticism over what appeared to be another costly defensive lapse in right field, to providing a game-winning home run and making postseason history in the process to help lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to a comeback win over the Philadelphia Phillies in the opener of the National League Division Series.

"We have to carry three catchers [on the postseason roster] because of where Will [Smith]'s at. Obviously with Tommy [Edman]'s uncertainty, Max [Muncy] coming back recently, having the extra infielder Hyeseong is huge," Roberts said. "And as far as how I'm going to use them, you know to run off the bench, to potentially take an at-bat off the bench, but there's a lot of lefties in that lineup. But Hyeseong, it's good to have him on the roster. And I feel he's going to help us out at some point."

The Dodgers spent more than $125 million on their bullpen last winter. But when they needed relief late in Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Saturday, they turned to a couple of starters who spent much of the season on the injury list. And it worked out - though just barely - with Tyler Glasnow and Roki Sasaki combining for eight of the final nine outs in a 5-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Kiké Hernández hits a two-run double in the ninth inning to help lead the Dodgers to a 5-3 win over Seattle.

The Dodgers (90-69) clinched the NL West yesterday and are locked into the three seed in the National League, rendering the final series of the regular season pretty much meaningless for them. There's no seeding to be determined for the Dodgers, as the only question for them is which of the teams alive for the final Wild Card spot will join them in LA on Tuesday.

Muncy has played through a bone bruise in his left knee and a mild right oblique strain this year. The season has also been problematic on the health front for Edman, who has battled right ankle trouble throughout. The Dodgers put Edman on the injured list on Aug. 4 due to a right ankle sprain, and he missed five and a half weeks. There was a deliberate approach taken so that Edman could make a full recovery in effort to get healthy for the playoffs.

In the meantime, 27-year-old catcher Ben Rortvedt, a trade deadline acquistion that fell under the radar due to the Dodgers previous depth behind the plate, has shown that he is more than capable to hold it down. Rortvedt is hitting .308 in his last 10 games with a .785 OPS. In addition to his offense, Rortvedt has proven to be an incredible framer and a welcomed addition defensively.