NLCS notes: Betts, Edman, Muncy
Today at 09:07 AM
Over the two previous seasons, Mookie Betts played like an MVP in the regular season, but vanished once the calendar turned to October.
On the heels of a pivotal three game series against the San Diego Padres that decided the victor of the NL West title, the two teams met again in the NLDS for the third time since 2020. With something to prove, Betts broke out of his postseason funk in Game 3, following that with another first inning home run in a Game 4 win.
Now in the NLCS against the New York Mets, the Dodgers stand just one game away from clinching the World Series off the heels of Betts' first four hit, four RBI game of his playoff career in a 10-2 romp in Game 4.
Betts, who is hitting .333 both in the NLCS and since he snapped his postseason hitless streak, talked about how relieving it feels to come through for his team when the lights are at their brightest, per Juan Toribio of MLB.com.
"During the season, you play so many games and you have some games like this. But when it's crunch time, it's good to come through for the boys because they come through for me so much."
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Tommy Edman has shown out in his first NLCS since 2019 when he was a member of the St. Louis Cardinals. This time around, instead of his team going winless against a Wild Card team, the Dodgers sit at the doorstep of their fourth World Series appearance since 2017.
Edman talked about what makes this Dodgers team so tenacious and dominant during their current playoff run, notes Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times in his latest column.
"I think the other thing that separates this team is just the experience, and I think everybody just has a very calm and cool demeanor. The moment doesn't really get too big for anybody. I think just having a lot of guys who have been there in big moments definitely helps out to be able to perform when those situations arise."
Max Muncy, who'll be looking to clinch his third World Series appearance on Friday, spoke with Tom Verducci of FOX Sports after Thursday's victory about his mentality for a decisive Game 5.
"For us tomorrow, it's a 0-0 series. We've got to go out there and take care of business. We're not thinking about one more game; tomorrow's a 0-0 series. We've got to prepare the right way, game plan the right way, get our approach going, and just take care of business and play Dodger baseball."
