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Dodgers use long ball early to pull ahead of in NLDS Game 1

chris cwik
Staff writer

After losing Game 7 of the World Series last season, the Los Angeles Dodgers are looking to take the postseason by storm in 2018. The team wasted no time announcing this year would be different, as Joc Pederson led off Game 1 of the National League Division Series with a home run.

It only took three pitches for Pederson to put the Dodgers on the board. On the third pitch of his at-bat, Pederson belted a 98 mph fastball from Atlanta Braves starter Mike Foltynewicz out to center for a solo shot, giving the Dodgers the early 1-0 lead. With the hit, Pederson became the first Dodgers player to smack a home run in the team’s first at-bat of the postseason.

It took a while for Foltynewicz to recover from the blast. The 26-year-old immediately gave up a double to Justin Turner and walked Max Muncy to put the next two hitters on base. He then settled in a bit, striking out the next two hitters. After walking Cody Bellinger to load the bases, Foltynewicz escaped by striking out Yasiel Puig. It wasn’t pretty, but Foltynewicz was able to strike out the side during the inning.

Foltynewicz couldn’t hold his form for long. In the second inning, Muncy blasted a three-run shot to put Los Angeles ahead 4-0. Muncy’s home run came after Foltynewicz issued consecutive walks with two outs in the inning.

Two home run won’t be enough for Dodgers fans. After the team came so close to winning it all last year, it’s basically World Series or bust for Los Angeles.

If the first two innings of the NLDS is any indication, the Dodgers are hungry to give the fans what they want this season.

Joc Pederson put the Dodgers up early in the NLDS with a solo home run. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Joc Pederson put the Dodgers up early in the NLDS with a solo home run. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

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Chris Cwik is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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