Dodger BlueDodger BlueDodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Font ResizerAa
Dodger BlueDodger Blue
Font ResizerAa
  • Dodgers News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
  • Team
  • Video
  • Odds
  • About
Search
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Dodger Blue > Featured > NLCS Game 5 Preview: Joe Kelly Starts As Dodgers Leaning On Bullpen In Hopes Of Avoiding Elimination
FeaturedGame Central

NLCS Game 5 Preview: Joe Kelly Starts As Dodgers Leaning On Bullpen In Hopes Of Avoiding Elimination

Blake Williams
October 21, 2021
4 Min Read
Joe Kelly, 2021 NLCS
Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

The Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves down 3-1 to the Atlanta Braves in the National League Championship Series for the second consecutive year.

Last year, the Dodgers were able to complete the historic comeback and now look to do it again despite mounting odds.

“No one needs to really tell anyone that we can do it. We’ve done it. We’ve been here,” AJ Pollock said after Game 4. “Obviously we got to grind, but we win, we’re not in a bad spot. So it’s going to be a big day.

“We got to regroup. We got to get after it and anything can happen if we win [Thursday].”

The Dodgers also have one more hurdle in their path to repeat as Justin Turner was removed in the seventh inning on Wednesday with a Grade 2 hamstring strain that will end his season.

Turner has since been replaced on the active roster by Andy Burns.

With their season on the line, L.A. goes bullpen game, mostly out of necessity, however, they have been pretty effective so far. Joe Kelly has been tabbed to serve as the opener.

The Dodgers were able to avoid using their key relievers in the Game 4 loss, so it should be all-hands-on-deck for the do-or-die scenario. Expect Kenley Jansen, Blake Treinen, Alex Vesia, Brusdar Graterol and Corey Knebel to all pitch an inning, and possibly more.

The Braves give the ball to Max Fried, who hopes to pitch them into the World Series.

Fried started Game 1 and tossed six innings while allowing two runs on eight hits with five strikeouts in Atlanta’s 3-2 win.

This season, he threw 165.2 innings while posting a 3.04 ERA and 3.31 FIP across 28 starts while striking out 23.7% of hitters and walking 6.1%.

The Dodgers will need to find a spark in their offense as it has continued to let them down throughout the playoffs.

Trea Turner, the NL batting champion, is 6-for-40 with no walks in the NL Division Series and NLCS. The Dodgers desperately need Turner to find his swing, and he recently said he has not been doing enough to help the offense.

Cody Bellinger is back in center field, with Albert Pujols starting at first base and Chris Taylor sliding in to play third base.

Although Jorge Soler cleared COVID protocols and was activated Thursday, he is not in the Braves’ lineup.

If L.A. is able to win, they would have some hope with Max Scherzer scheduled to start Game 6 and Walker Buehler starting a potential Game 7.

Dodgers lineup

RF: Mookie Betts
2B: Trea Turner
SS: Corey Seager
C: Will Smith
LF: AJ Pollock
1B: Albert Pujols
3B: Chris Taylor
CF: Cody Bellinger
P: Joe Kelly

Braves lineup

LF: Eddie Rosario
2B: Ozzie Albies
1B: Freddie Freeman
3B: Austin Riley
CF: Adam Duvall
RF: Joc Pederson
SS: Dansby Swanson
C: Travis d’Arnaud
P: Max Fried

Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and more!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:2021 NLCSAtlanta BravesLos Angeles Dodgers
ByBlake Williams
Follow:
Blake Williams is a journalist from Reseda, Calif., who is currently the Managing Editor for Dodger Blue. He previously worked as a Managing Editor for Angels Nation, as a staff writer at Dodgers Nation, as the Managing Editor and Sports Editor for the Roundup News at L.A. Pierce College, and as an Opinion Editor for the Daily Sundial at California State University, Northridge. Blake graduated Cum Laude from CSUN with a major in journalism and a minor in photography/video. He is now pursuing his master's degree from the University of Alabama. Blake is also always open to talk Star Wars with you. Contact: Blake@mediumlargela.com
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Dave Roberts
Dodgers News

Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Doesn’t Believe World Series Hangover Is Reason For Sluggish Start

April 17, 2018
April 17, 2018
Paul Goldschmidt
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers News: Freddie Freeman Loses 2022 Players Choice National League Outstanding Player Award To Cardinals’ Paul Goldschmidt

November 5, 2022
November 5, 2022
Daniel Hudson, 2023 Spring Training
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Daniel Hudson ‘Felt Good’ During Season Debut & Happy To Be Back With Dodgers

July 1, 2023
July 1, 2023
Jose-miguel-fernandez
Dodgers Minor LeaguesDodgers News

Dodgers News: Drillers’ Jose Miguel Fernandez Named Texas League Player Of The Week For June 12-18

June 20, 2017
June 20, 2017

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

  • 日本語
  • 한국어