Dodgers win NLCS Game 1 2024

LOS ANGELES — The last time the Dodgers were in the National League Championship Series, they were facing a team from the NL East after coming off a thrilling five-game series against a division rival in the NLDS.

In 2021, the Dodgers beat the rival Giants in a series that took a lot of emotional and physical energy. After advancing past the Giants, the Dodgers became the clear favorites to represent the NL in the World Series. Instead, the Dodgers were never able to recapture the same intensity and lost to the Braves in six games.

Leading up to this NLCS, the Dodgers remember that series vividly. It’s still something that haunts some of the players that were also on that team. If given the opportunity, the Dodgers vowed to learn from their mistakes. It took three years, but the Dodgers finally got their chance. And at least for one night, it was well worth the wait.

The Dodgers picked up right where they left off, delivering one of their most complete games of the postseason, a 9-0 win over the Mets in Game 1 of the NL Championship Series on Sunday at Dodger Stadium.

In all best-of-seven postseason series, teams winning Game 1 have gone on to take the series 123 of 191 times (64%). In series under the current 2-3-2 format, teams winning Game 1 at home have gone on to take the series 66 of 99 times (67%).

“Each and every one of the pitchers have been doing their job exceptionally well,” Shohei Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton in a postgame interview on FOX. “And it’s really setting the tone for the offensive part of the game to be able to feel comfortable and score runs.”