Dodgers’ wild finish sends them to NLCS after Kerkering error

The Los Angeles Dodgers punched their ticket to the National League Championship Series in heart-stopping fashion, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1 in 11 innings at Dodger Stadium.

Stellar pitching and late drama defined the night. The decisive moment came when Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering misfired on a routine play with two outs and the bases loaded, letting Hyeseong Kim cross the plate for the walk-off win.

This victory gave Los Angeles a 3-1 series win. They avoided a treacherous Game 5 in Philadelphia and kept their World Series repeat hopes alive.

Dodgers Seal Series in Extra-Inning Thriller

The atmosphere at Dodger Stadium was electric from the first pitch. Tension grew with every scoreless frame.

The Phillies, desperate to force a series-deciding game, finally broke through in the top of the seventh. But the Dodgers answered right back—Mookie Betts worked a bases-loaded walk to tie things up at 1-1.

Kerkering’s Costly Misplay

The game flipped in the 11th inning. With two outs and the score still tied, Tommy Edman and Max Muncy singled, and Kiké Hernández drew a crucial walk, loading the bases for rookie Andy Pages.

Pages hit what looked like a routine grounder to the pitcher. Kerkering bobbled the ball, then threw wildly trying to get the force at home.

Catcher J.T. Realmuto couldn’t handle it, and pinch-runner Hyeseong Kim dashed home for the stunning series-clinching run.

It’s the kind of moment postseason baseball lives for—one mistake, and suddenly the whole story changes.

Pitching Dominance Sets the Stage

The error might grab the headlines, but the Dodgers stayed in the game because of elite pitching. Tyler Glasnow, brought in to be the ace, delivered exactly what Los Angeles needed—six shutout innings and eight strikeouts.

He mixed electric fastballs with biting sliders, keeping Philadelphia’s hitters guessing all night.

Roki Sasaki’s Perfect Relief

Rookie sensation Roki Sasaki impressed just as much. He entered in the seventh and retired all nine batters he faced.

The 22-year-old righty showed a calm well beyond his years, using his signature splitter to induce weak contact and keeping things locked down until the Dodgers’ offense got another shot in the 11th.

Manager Dave Roberts praised both pitchers for their command and composure under pressure. Without them, the Dodgers might have been fighting for their season instead of celebrating.

Key Moments That Defined the Victory

Several moments pushed Los Angeles forward:

• Glasnow’s dominance: Six innings, zero runs, eight strikeouts—he set the tone.
• Sasaki’s perfection: Nine batters up, nine down. Couldn’t have asked for more.
• Betts’ patience: That bases-loaded walk in the seventh tied the game and changed the mood.
• Defensive resilience: The Dodgers made key plays in the field, shutting down Phillies rallies.
• Timely hitting: Late singles from Edman and Muncy gave them new life in the 11th.

What’s Next for Los Angeles

The Dodgers now move on to the National League Championship Series as heavy favorites. With a deep rotation, a potent offense, and plenty of postseason experience, they look like the team to beat.

Another World Series appearance could give them a shot at back-to-back titles—something Dodgers fans haven’t seen in decades.

A Championship Mindset

Postseason baseball tests resilience just as much as skill. The Dodgers showed they have both.

They trailed late in several games during the series. Still, they clawed back time and again, leaning on strong pitching and clutch, opportunistic offense.

This combination makes them a tough opponent for whoever comes next in the NLCS. Would you really want to face a team like this right now?

For the Phillies, the end came fast. One defensive miscue cost them the game and overshadowed an otherwise tight series.

But for Dodgers fans, that walk-off win? Pure October magic. It’s the kind of moment that makes baseball’s postseason so emotional and unpredictable.

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Here is the source article for this story: Commentary: A wild finish propels the Dodgers into NLCS and past their toughest playoff test