On Saturday afternoon, the Los Angeles Dodgers took a 1-0 lead in their NLDS playoff series vs the Atlanta Braves with a comfortable 5-3 home win over the Atlanta Braves. The Dodgers got a big boost in this game from Kyle Tucker, who hit a two-run blast late in the game to help keep Atlanta at bay amid their comeback attempt.
After the game, Dodgers ace Tarik Skubal, who largely shut down the Braves on the mound on Saturday, shared his heartfelt reaction to the big moment.
“He’s such a good dude,” said Skubal, per Katie Woo of The Athletic. “He works his a** off. Results don’t always reward the work, but I think in moments like this, you’re going to get rewarded for those types of things. I think in big-pressure moments, if you prepared the way that he prepares, I’ll take his at-bat 10 times out of 10.”
It's been a tough first season in Los Angeles for Tucker, who departed the Chicago Cubs for the Dodgers in free agency last offseason. However, the former All-Star has slowly but surely rounded into his usual form in recent weeks, and the home run in his first playoff game for Los Angeles was certainly a good sign.
Article Continues Below“Tuck is a superstar,” said Miguel Rojas. “There was no doubt in my mind that he was going to come through in the biggest stage of our season.”
The Dodgers are now just two wins away from making it to yet another NLCS, but things could get tougher for them on Sunday, depending on whether the Braves opt to trot ace Chris Sale out onto the mound.
In any case, first pitch for Game 2 is set for 8:00 pm ET, once again from Los Angeles.