April 3, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Dodgers 2 Games Away From First World Series Appearance Since 1988

The Los Angeles Dodgers will again try Thursday to move within one victory of their first World Series berth since 1988 when they face the Chicago Cubs in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium.

The pitching matchup will be a rematch of Game 1, with the Dodgers’ 28- year-old Japanese rookie right-hander Kenta Maeda opposing Cubs left-hander Jon Lester.

Neither figured in the decision when Chicago won 8-4 Saturday at Wrigley Field. Maeda allowed three runs on four hits in four innings in his first game against the Cubs while Lester allowed one run and four hits in six innings.

Maeda is 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA in his two postseason starts and he acknowledged Wednesday that “I haven’t been pitching well.”

“I’m not going to be too careful,” Maeda said through an interpreter. “I’m going to be very aware of the hitters who are hot and who are hitting well. I think this time around I can … better imagine how I’m going to get these guys out. I remember how each hitter reacted to a certain pitch, so I’m going to base off that when I pitch again.”

To Dodger manager Dave Roberts, the key for Maeda is “getting ahead of the hitters.”

“If he can get ahead of the hitters and expand, he’s really good,” Roberts said. “But I think with any pitcher, if you start working behind and hitters start smelling blood, it gets to be a little tougher.”

Chicago defeated the Dodgers 10-2 Wednesday at Dodger Stadium, tying the best-of-seven series at two games a piece.

The Cubs took control by scoring four runs in the fourth inning — ending a streak of 21 consecutive scoreless innings — then put the game out of reach by scoring five times in the sixth, after Justin Turner’s two-run single in the fifth cut the deficit to 5-2.

Chicago got 13 hits off six Dodger pitchers and the Dodgers committed four errors, their most in a postseason game since Oct. 8, 1974, when they committed five in a 7-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates in Game 3 of the NLCS.

“It happens and obviously it’s more magnified in the postseason,” Roberts said. “We haven’t had a game like that in a long time. I think for us it’s one of those things you’ve got to brush off and get ready for tomorrow.”

Dodger 20-year-old rookie left-hander Julio Urias Wednesday became the youngest starting pitcher in Major League Baseball postseason history, allowing four runs and four hits in 3 2/3 innings and being charged with the loss.

“I thought he had really good stuff,” Roberts said. “Just that inning got away from us, but it was just the bunt base hit and a couple flares.”

The Dodgers had a chance to score the first run in the bottom of the second, but Adrian Gonzalez was called out at home plate by umpire Angel Hernandez when he attempted to score from second on Andrew Toles’ single, a called upheld upon video review.

“I was pretty certain that it was going to be reversed, but those guys in New York, they’ve got a job to do and obviously they saw it the other way,” Roberts said.

“I’m a big believer in momentum and certain plays. You look back tonight and some plays shifted the momentum. To get a lead would have been big for us.”

Former Dodger standout first basemen Steve Garvey and Eric Karros will throw Game 5’s ceremonial first pitches.

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Kristopher Andrew Rouse of Murrieta will be honored as the military hero of the game. Rouse was deployed to Al Anbar Province in Iraq in 2008. He is now a program specialist with the Marine Corps Recruiting Station in Riverside.

The acoustic guitar duo Everett Coast will perform in the left-field reserve area and a face painter and balloon artist will be in the left-field plaza area from 3-5 p.m.

DJ Adam will provide musical entertainment in the right-field plaza and the Angel City Dixieland Band will perform in the right-field reserve area from 3-5 p.m.

Auto gates and stadium gates will open at 2:08 p.m. The Dodgers will conduct batting practice from 2:25-3:25 p.m. and the Cubs from 3:30-4:20 p.m. The first pitch is set for 5:08 p.m.

Fans are being encouraged to arrive early and to carpool or use an alternative transportation service. The Dodger Stadium Express will begin service from Union Station and the South Bay 2 1/2 hours before game time.

Game 6 will be played Saturday in Chicago. Game 7, if necessary, would be played Sunday in Chicago.

 

Dodgers

Related Posts

Saijo Hand Roll Rolls into Culver City with Premium Japanese Ingredients

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Binchotan-Fired Perfection: Saijo Rolls Out Premium Sushi in West LA A new destination for hand rolls and Japanese culinary craftsmanship...

(Video) Check Out Bernie’s, a New Pop Up at Citizen Public Market in Culver City

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Made with fresh frozen fruit and a toasted merengue topping these flavors are irresistible. The pop up will be at...

From Cocktails to Coffee: U.S. Tariffs Threaten Imports, Jobs, and Your Grocery Bill

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Major Price Hikes Expected for Coffee, Wine, Chocolate, and Butter  A sweeping new set of tariffs announced by former President...

Levain Bakery to Open Venice Location with Special Guests and Charitable Twist

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Bigger Than a Cookie: Levain’s Venice Opening Is a Flavorful Fundraiser Levain Bakery, the cult-favorite cookie destination founded in New...

LAX Airport Server Finds Hate-Filled Message From Unidentified Diners

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Waiter Says He Was Stunned by the Message Left by Customers Guillermo Ortiz, who works at Planet Hollywood inside the...

Sunset Strip Staple Le Petit Four Shuts Down After Landlord Pulls the Plug

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

End of an Era: Le Petit Four Forced to Close in West Hollywood In a stunning reversal to the upbeat...

Metro LA Pushes Back Sepulveda Transit Community Meetings

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Environmental Review Delay Prompts Metro to Reschedule  Metro announced that community meetings scheduled for early April to discuss the Sepulveda...

County Board Approves New Homeless Agency, Redirecting Millions from Existing System

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

With Billions on the Line, LA County Moves to Centralize Homeless Response Los Angeles County is making a dramatic shift...

Put the Phone Down: LAPD and CHP Targets Distracted Drivers in April Crackdown

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Hands-Free Law Violations Could Now Cost You More Than Just a Fine Throughout April, the Los Angeles Police Department will...

Five Arrested in Culver City After Attempted Carjacking and Vandalism Incident

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Gun, Warrants, and Broken Glass: Culver City Police Tackle Two Crimes Police arrested four juveniles in connection with an attempted...

Kim Delaney, Partner Cleared After Weekend Arrest in Marina del Rey

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Emmy-Winning Actress and Partner James Morgan Released Kim Delaney, the Emmy-winning actress recognized for her roles in NYPD Blue and...

(Video) Spending an Afternoon at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Go To Pacpark.com For Tickets and More Information. Go To https://t.co/fDDgcY6b3e For Tickets and More Information.#amusementpark #rides #rollercoaster #summer #spring...

Matū Kai to Debut in Brentwood With Grass Fed Wagyu and Global Flair This Week

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Farm-To-Fork Beef, Wood-Fired Flavors, and Sustainability Meet on San Vicente The team behind Beverly Hills’ acclaimed steakhouse Matū will soon...

Mid-City Freeway Death Under Investigation After Caltrans Workers Find Blanket-Covered Body

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Woman Discovered on 10 Freeway Shoulder Identified; CHP Launches Probe Caltrans workers discovered a woman’s dead body around 9:00 a.m....

Community Support Saves Beloved West Hollywood Café from Closure

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

Packed Tables and Emotional Messages Helped Keep the Doors Open Le Petit Four, the popular Sunset Boulevard café known for...