The Los Angeles Dodgers are headed back to the World Series after rallying late to defeat the Atlanta Braves, 4-3, in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series at Globe Life Field.
While the offense came through with some timely hits, the Dodgers bullpen also played a major role in the comeback. The trio of Blake Treinen, Brusdar Graterol and Julio Urias limited the Braves to just one baserunner over the final six innings of Game 7.
Urias was credited with the win after tossing three perfect frames, covering the seventh, eighth and ninth. “Julio is very talented, he’s very smart and he’s very tough,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
“We’ve kind of handled him over the last four years with kid gloves, kind of tried to build him up and put him in different roles; some that he hasn’t really liked and appreciated, which I totally get.
“But when it comes down to it, he just wants to pitch, wants to compete and wants to help the Dodgers win. As far as tonight, it was his moment. For me, I trust him. He was throwing the baseball well and I wanted him to finish that game.”
Urias has been phenomenal in the postseason, allowing just one run and 10 baserunners over 16 innings pitched — good for a minuscule 0.56 ERA and 0.63 WHIP.
Part of Urias’ success is why Roberts felt comfortable letting him close out the game over Kenley Jansen. “Kenley’s been great. He’s been absolutely great and we wouldn’t be going to the World Series without him,” Roberts said.
“But I just think in that moment, Julio, with the days’ rest, how he was throwing the baseball, in the preceding days what we asked of Kenley as far as usage-wise, just to ride the hot hand.
“Kenley was one of the first people that came and gave me a huge hug. He congratulated all of us and talked about winning four more. That just speaks to him as a leader and teammate.”
Jansen not lacking in confidence
Although he didn’t factor into the NLCS-clinching win, Jansen was dominant in his three appearances against the Braves, retiring all nine batters faced with three strikeouts.
“I never lose confidence. I don’t know why it was like I lost confidence. I never lose confidence in myself. I will never lose confidence,” Jansen said over the weekend.
“The minute I lose confidence in myself, I will stop playing this game. The confidence is going to be there. If it’s 88 (mph), if it’s 91, if it’s 93, just go out there and get outs. This is a game of get outs. It’s not a game of throwing hard and all that. It’s get outs.”
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