The Los Angeles Dodgers opened the 2018 postseason with a bang, defeating the Atlanta Braves, 6-0, in Game 1 of the National League Division Series.
Joc Pederson broke a franchise record with eight leadoff home runs during the regular season, and he did not waste any time in Game 1 as he led off the bottom of the first with a homer.
He then started another rally in the second inning as with two outs and two strikes out, Braves starter Mike Foltynewicz hit Pederson with a pitch. That wound up coming back to bite the Braves as Foltynewicz then walked Justin Turner and served up a big three-run home run to Max Muncy.
Muncy led the Dodgers in home runs during the regular season with 35, and the bright lights didn’t seem to bother him in his first career postseason game.
The Dodgers offense went quiet for a few innings, but then picked back up in the sixth inning when Kiké Hernandez hit their third home run of the night, a solo shot off Brad Brach.
All of those runs were more than enough for Hyun-Jin Ryu, who tossed a gem in his first postseason start since 2014.
Many questioned the Dodgers’ decision to start Ryu over Clayton Kershaw in Game 1, but Ryu put all of those doubters to rest by tossing seven shutout innings, allowing just four singles. He had Braves hitters off-balanced all night as he struck out eight without issuing any walks.
With Kershaw to follow in Game 2 and then Walker Buehler set to pitch Game 3, the Dodgers are in a good spot to return to the NL Championship Series for a third straight season.
