Oct 19, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Cody Bellinger (35) celebrates after hitting a three-run home run in the eighth inning of game three of the 2021 NLCS against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
MLBBy Matt Clapp on

The Atlanta Braves were oh so close to taking a fully commanding 3-0 series lead in the National League Championship Series on Tuesday. But the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied with four runs in the eighth inning to come away with a 6-5 win in Game 3, trimming the Braves’ series lead to 2-1.

The Dodgers trailed 5-2 with one out in the bottom of the eighth, when Cody Bellinger stepped to the plate. After being a superstar just two years ago, Bellinger was brutal for the Dodgers in the 2021 regular season, putting together a .165/.240/.302 slash line. But he stepped up with the Dodgers’ season potentially on the line, crushing a three-run homer on a high fastball from Atlanta reliever Luke Jackson to tie the game.

Later in the inning, Mookie Betts showed why he’s worth the very big bucks by smoking a go-ahead RBI double.

And in the top of the ninth, Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen struck out the side to give Los Angeles a 6-5 victory.

So, the Dodgers were able to make it a 2-1 series instead of being down 3-0, and it sure felt like the momentum of the series in general took a big swing — just like Bellinger and Betts did — in the eighth inning.

The Dodgers entered this series as heavy favorites, both to win the NLCS and the World Series title. But asking them to win four straight games with a 3-0 deficit would’ve obviously been an extremely difficult task. Now, they’re right back in the series. Five Thirty Eight has the NLCS series odds at exactly 50-50 now, and the computers aren’t even factoring in the “feel” and human side of everything that happened.

For all intents and purposes, it was a season-saving eighth inning for the Dodgers, and a huge opportunity blown for the Braves.

But, the great thing about baseball is that — until elimination — you quickly get a chance to change the story. Game 4 is on Wednesday in Los Angeles, and the Braves will look to take back control of the series.

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.

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