The Los Angeles Dodgers advanced to the World Series for the first time in 29 years, defeating the Chicago Cubs in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series on Thursday.
It was a lopsided matchup, as the Dodgers outscored the Cubs, 28-8, in five games behind clutch hitting and dominant pitching. Justin Turner and Chris Taylor took home co-MVP honors for their respective performances during the series.
The two combined for over a third of the club’s total run production and accumulated six extra-base hits in five games against the Cubs. For both players, it was a byproduct of the mindset and focus established in the regular season.
“Yeah, just sticking with the same approach we’ve had all series, or all of the playoffs,” Taylor said. “Not worrying about the results or the distractions. Just kind of playing good Dodger baseball. What we’ve been doing. Staying within ourselves, not trying to do too much.
“That’s pretty much what we’ve done from Game 1. You know, just controlling the zone and playing good baseball, like I said earlier.”
Last year, Taylor joined the Dodgers in a midseason trade with the Seattle Mariners. He played in 34 games and was primarily deployed as a late-inning defensive replacement in the infield, but otherwise posted a mild .620 on-base plus slugging in 62 plate appearances.
This season, Taylor enjoyed one of the most unexpected breakout campaigns in Major League history. In 568 plate appearances, he batted .288/.354/.496 with career highs in nearly every category, and expanded his defensive versatility by learning to play the outfield.
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In the NLCS against the Cubs, Taylor hit .316/.458/.789 with one double, one triple and two home runs over 24 plate appearances. Last season, he wasn’t included on any postseason roster.
“Pretty remarkable to think about where I was at this time last year,” Taylor admitted. “Last year I got sent to Arizona for stay hot and then sent home before the NLCS. It’s crazy how fast things can change in this game in both directions.
“I couldn’t be happier to be a part of this and be with these guys. It’s been an unbelievable year, and I’m just super excited.”
Taylor is often compared to Turner for similar adjustments made at the plate since arriving to Los Angeles, which has turned the latter into a star.
From the advice of Turner last offseason, Taylor implemented a leg kick to his batting stance, which as a result, has significantly led to more extra-base hits and harder-hit balls for him this season.
“J.T.’s been huge all year and even last year,” Taylor explained. “I talked to him as much as I can, and, you know, he’s one of the reasons I decided to make the changes I did.
“Guys that have gone out on a ledge and made big changes and had success with it, I saw those guys and the success they had, and that’s kind of what encouraged me to go out of my comfort zone and kind of take a leap of faith, or whatever you want to call it. Just make those changes. Just the support he’s given me and talking to him about hitting, it’s been huge.”
As for the praise and recognition he’s received for a remarkable emergence, Taylor has grown tired of the topic. “Stop asking that question, please,” he said after addressing the matter before Game 5 of the NLCS.
