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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 06: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after the Dodgers defeat the San Diego Padres 5-1 in Game One of the National League Division Series at Globe Life Field on October 06, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Getty
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 06: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after the Dodgers defeat the San Diego Padres 5-1 in Game One of the National League Division Series at Globe Life Field on October 06, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Getty
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 06: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after the Dodgers defeat the San Diego Padres 5-1 in Game One of the National League Division Series at Globe Life Field on October 06, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Getty
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 06: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after the Dodgers defeat the San Diego Padres 5-1 in Game One of the National League Division Series at Globe Life Field on October 06, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Mookie Betts jogged around the Oracle Park in celebration last night, as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated their arch-rivals. In the NLDS five-game series, Dodgers triumphed over the San Francisco Giants.
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The oldest MLB rivals faced each other for the first time in centuries. Notably, the Dodgers escalated their way to the NLCS, winning the last match by 2-1.
Mookie Betts praised his team
While the San Francisco Giants vs Los Angeles Dodgers are decade-old rivals, there was recent bad blood between the two. Dodgers had missed out on the division title by a whisker, as Giants had 107 wins, whereas Dodgers had 106 wins.
However, on Thursday, Dodgers sought redemption, knocking Giants out of the season; Mookie Betts played a pivotal role in their victory. Betts became the only Dodgers player in the history to go 4-for-4 in a winner-take-all postseason.
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 30, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts (50) hits a solo home run in the first inning of the game against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Undoubtedly, the much-awaited post-season clash between the rivals was intense. As none of the two were ready to give up, the series went on until the fifth game.
Mookie Betts revealed the secret of his team winning over the Giants. He said, “We were down, but we didn’t give up. We can win close games. There weren’t any high-scoring games in this one. It was important to know we can win these one-run games.”
"We were down but we didn't give up…it was important to know we can win these one-run games." Mookie Betts shares the key takeaways from the #Dodgers NLDS victory over the Giants. pic.twitter.com/8obxa2fEF0
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) October 15, 2021
Entering the post-season, the Giants were the favorites to reach the World Series in 2021. Giants had secured the most number of wins on the road to playoffs.
Further reflecting on his team, he said, “Sometimes we are put there, we don’t really just panic, continue playing the game. We always do, it seems to work.”
Betts’ post-season record 2021
While he clinched the historical record for Dodgers, he also secured a personal best. He became the fourth player in MLB history with at least four hits and a stolen base in a winner-take-all postseason.
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 14, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Max Muncy (13) returns to the dugout after hitting a two run home run to score right fielder Mookie Betts (50) against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the third inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Dodgers will now escalate to the NLCS and face Atlanta Braves. Do you think they can eliminate the Braves to reach the World Series?
Also read: “Not High Up on My List”: Boston Red Sox Star Slams Houston Astros