The Los Angeles Dodgers are headed back to the National League Championship Series, one step closer to a third consecutive World Series title after defeating the Atlanta Braves 4-1 on Wednesday night to close out the NL Division Series in four games.
By the time the final out was recorded, the celebration was already underway. In the visiting clubhouse at Truist Park, players doused one another in beer and champagne, wearing gray T-shirts bearing the words “Take October.” For a team pursuing a third straight championship, the message was clear. The challenge now is to keep the momentum going.
The Dodgers’ victory was built on timely hitting and a pitching staff that limited Atlanta’s opportunities. The Braves took an early lead in the first inning when Michael Harris II scored on a wild pitch, but Los Angeles tied the game in the second after a pair of Atlanta defensive errors allowed Shohei Ohtani to cross home plate.
The game remained tied at 1-1 until the seventh inning, when Andy Pages delivered the decisive hit. With the bases loaded and two outs, Pages lined a two-run single up the middle against reliever Robert Suarez, giving the Dodgers a 3-1 lead. Max Muncy added a solo home run in the ninth, his third of the postseason. Pages finished with two hits and two RBIs, accounting for two of the Dodgers’ five hits. His go-ahead single was particularly significant after Los Angeles had struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities throughout the series.
Manager Dave Roberts had maintained his confidence in the outfielder, emphasizing his importance to the team’s championship hopes before Game 3. “I believe in him,” Roberts said. “I feel that for us to win the World Series this year, we’re gonna need him to be an active part of our team.”
In October, a team’s success often depends on how well its players complement one another, with different strengths becoming important at different moments. Pages’ hit was one example of how the Dodgers have relied on contributions throughout their lineup, a quality Roberts has emphasized as the team pursues another championship.
That collective approach extends beyond the field. Max Muncy, the Dodgers’ longest-tenured player, pointed to the shared commitment that has helped shape the team’s clubhouse culture. “The attitude, the culture, everything that we’ve been building in this clubhouse … It doesn’t matter how we get there. We just need to get there,” Muncy said.
The Dodgers will need that collective effort as they turn to the Milwaukee Brewers, who await them in the NL Championship Series. The Brewers won 103 games during the regular season and will have home-field advantage, presenting a formidable challenge for the defending champions. Milwaukee also eliminated the San Diego Padres in four games, setting up a rematch of last year’s NLCS.
Los Angeles enters the series with postseason experience and an opportunity to build on another successful October run. Finishing the Braves in four games gives the Dodgers a chance to carry their momentum into the next round while providing additional time for their pitching staff to reset. But Milwaukee’s regular-season success makes clear the series will be no formality.
The Dodgers have earned their champagne, but the celebration comes with a caveat: October is far from over. With Milwaukee next and the remaining contenders still fighting for a place in the World Series, the margin for error only gets smaller from here. Game 1 of the NLCS is scheduled for Oct. 11 at 5 p.m. PT in Milwaukee. The Dodgers have spent the last two seasons proving they know how to win in October. Now, with a third consecutive title in sight, they’ll have to prove it all over again. The champagne may be flowing in Atlanta, but the job isn’t finished until the Dodgers bring another championship home to Los Angeles.
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