Dodgers’ path to Series cleared

[Hernandez, from B10]

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FREDDIE FREEMAN hands the ball to reliever Roki Sasaki, who recorded his second save of the NLDS for the Dodgers.

(ROBERT GAUTHIER Los Angeles Times)

The Dodgers didn’t come close to winning 120 games, and they were underwhelming in the regular season, which explains why they were unable to secure either of the first-round byes that were claimed by the Phillies and Brewers.

They entered the postseason with an alarmingly untrustworthy bullpen, and that bullpen nearly blew a four-run lead in Game 2.

But in stealing two wins at Citizens Bank Park, the Dodgers demonstrated they still have that championship something that no other team in baseball has.

That something emerged on Monday night in the six scoreless innings pitched by Blake Snell, the run-scoring slide by Teoscar Hernandez on a slow roller by Kiké Hernandez, the two-run single by Will Smith that broke open the game, the insurance run driven in by Shohei Ohtani. That something was reflected in the two innings contributed by converted starter Emmet Sheehan, and game-saving defensive plays made by Mookie Betts, Max Muncy and Miguel Rojas.

“Tt’s huge,” manager Dave Roberts said. “It’s obviously huge. Guys are really stepping up.”

‘The Phillies aren't stepping up, and their championship window that was opened by the likes of Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber could soon be closing. The urgency ofthe situation was recognized, with Phillies manager Rob Thomson making no effort to downplay the importance of Game 2, saying before the game that Ranger Suarez and Aaron Nola could pitch in relief.

Suarez and Nola were two candidates to start Game 3 (the Phillies announced after the game Nola would get the nod).

Thomson was prepared to deploy Sudrez in a high-leverage situation. He was ready to call on Nola if the game went into extra innings.

“And we'll figure out Game 3,” Thomson said.