After 163 Games We Have a Division Champ

It took 163 games but there is finally a NL Western Division Champion and it’s the same one we’ve had for the past 6 seasons. In a one game playoff, the Dodgers dominated the Rockies for 8 innings and then gave up a couple of home runs when it was too late for Colorado to come back. Max Muncy and Cory Bellinger each hit 2-run home runs that produced more than enough runs for Walker Buehler to pick up his 8th win of the season (yeah, this game is considered a regular season game). Buehler was great, allowing 4 Rockies to get on base and only one by a hit over 6 2/3 innings. He also picked up an RBI – his first of the year (and of his career) when he singled in the 6th inning to drive in Enrique Hernandez. Muncy was my player of the day as he went 2 for 4 with the home run, 2 RBIs, and 2 runs scored. But fir the most part, the Dodgers clearly were in control for the whole game.

German Marquez tried his best, striking out 9 but a passed ball in the 4th allowed Muncy to get to first base on a strike out. Given 4 outs in the inning, the Dodgers capitalized on the mistake and after what would have been the 3rd out of the inning, Bellinger smacked a home run to center scoring Muncy. 2 unearned runs and the Dodgers didn’t look back. David Dahl who’d been on a tear with 6 HRs in the past 7 games was held hitless and while Charlie Blackmon got on base 3 times there was no one who could knock him in.

With the win, the Dodgers take their 6th NL West Division title in as many years and host Atlanta on Thursday. Clayton Kershaw and Hyun-Jin Ryu will start at home against the Braves while Buehler will get the start in game 3 at Atlanta.

For the Rockies, they head to Chicago to face the Cubs who lost to Milwaukee on Monday 3–1. Kyle Freeland (17–7, 2.85 ERA) faces off against Jon Lester (18–6, 3.32 ERA) in the NL Wild Card Game today.

Sports – West Coast Baseball – After 163 Games We Have a Division Champ