NLCS Game 5: Dodgers Stave Off Elimination With Dominant 11-2 Win Against Atlanta Braves, Series At 3-2

Up 3-1 in the National League Championship Series, Atlanta felt the possibility of a trip to the World Series as the team went went up early, 2-0, in the first inning of Thursday night's game. The Dodgers were keen on staving off elimination with a win at the Chavez Ravine, and they executed as such.

While the Braves' current NLCS edge remains the storyline of 2021's rematch, Chris Taylor's heroics in the postseason have also been one to monitor out of Los Angeles.

The night's two biggest heroes were Dodgers Taylor and AJ Pollock: combining for five home runs and 10 RBIs. Taylor hit 4 of 5 on the night, while Pollock's 3-of-4 hitting kept the momentum going the Dodgers' way.

In the second inning, up 2-0, the Braves and Max Fried had their first taste of the offensive onslaught from Taylor and Pollock when the two homered to left field. Taylor's score also brought Albert Pujols in from first base, giving the Dodgers a 3-2 edge.

With the Dodgers enjoying a 4-2 lead in the fifth inning, following a single from Pollock, Taylor returned and hit a two-run score to pile on top of the staggering Braves with a 6-2 lead.

Taylor completed the hat trick with a homer in the seventh inning to go up 7-2. Los Angeles belonged to Taylor, giving the team new life Thursday night instead of allowing the narrative to end for the Dodgers. Instead, Los Angeles looks ahead: sitting one game away, 3-2, from giving this series even ground for World Series contention.

The Dodgers go to Atlanta for Game 6 on Saturday, giving the Braves another shot at closing the series before facing off against the ALCS champ.

It was not all good news as Dodgers pitcher Joe Kelly saw an early exit from Thursday's contest with a bicep strain.

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