Dodgers vs National Game 5: Five ways L.A. can get into the NLCS

By Keith Rivas | Oct 12, 2016

Oct 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Carlos Ruiz (51) celebrates with Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Joc Pederson (31) after hitting a two run home run during the fifth inning against the Washington Nationals in game three of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Howie Kendrick (47) hits a double during the third inning against the Washington Nationals in game three of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Los Angeles has to be sure that they run the bases aggressively in order to escape from the nation’s capitol with a victory.

According to statistics provided on the team’s website, the Dodgers have just one stolen base this postseason compared to Washington’s four.

Dave Roberts has gotten good play from his key players thus far in the series, and Game 5 can’t be any different — the Dodgers can’t afford it.

L.A. doesn’t necessarily have to out-steal Washington, but it wouldn’t hurt to get at least a couple bases they didn’t get from a plate appearance under their belt.

The other reason that this is important is because should they make it to the NLCS, it’s one of the only statistical advantages they’ll have over Chicago.

For much of the season, the Cubs dominated the league, but they’ve failed to steal a base at all in the playoffs.

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Confident base running means everything on the road