The Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers engaged in a tense battle, exchanging only one run each, leading to extra innings. In a dramatic twist, Orion Kerkering’s errant throw in the 11th inning allowed the Dodgers to claim a 2-1 victory, securing a 3-1 NL Division Series win. The Dodgers celebrated their triumph, with catcher Will Smith describing the game as a nail-biter where they maintained composure while the Phillies faltered.
Kerkering’s costly mistake occurred when he made a wild throw past home plate instead of attempting a routine play at first base, ultimately allowing the Dodgers to advance to the NL Championship Series. Reflecting on the moment, Kerkering admitted feeling the pressure and opting for a quicker throw to home, leading to the game-deciding error.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed disappointment over the turn of events, emphasizing that Kerkering’s error was unexpected given his experience in similar situations. Despite the Phillies’ efforts, highlighted by Nick Castellanos’ RBI double, they fell short as the Dodgers capitalized on the critical mistake to secure the series victory.
The game marked only the second postseason series to end on a walk-off error, adding another chapter to the Dodgers’ history of dramatic postseason victories. As the Phillies faced elimination for the second consecutive year, the defending champions Dodgers advanced to the NLCS for the eighth time in 13 years.
In a parallel matchup, the Chicago Cubs dominated the Milwaukee Brewers with a 6-0 victory in Game 4 of the NLDS, setting the stage for a decisive Game 5. A strong pitching performance by Matthew Boyd and timely home runs by Ian Happ, Kyle Tucker, and Michael Busch propelled the Cubs to victory, forcing a final showdown in Milwaukee.
The Cubs, who faced elimination after losing the first two games, rallied to level the series, showcasing resilience and determination. With the series now tied, both teams will vie for a spot in the NL Championship Series against the formidable Dodgers. The Brewers, despite their strong regular-season record, struggled offensively and now face a must-win situation in the upcoming decisive game.
The stage is set for an intense finale as the Cubs and Brewers prepare for a winner-takes-all Game 5, with the victor advancing to face the Dodgers in the NLCS.