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 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner (10) and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (23) celebrate defeating the Washington Nationals 6-5 in game four of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

It’s not that the Dodgers really care about the final score of Game 5, so long as they come out on top.

Game 1 and Game 4 were both decided by just a run, while the two games between that were not close and both wins were by Washington.

What does that tell us about how the Dodgers’ offense has to approach Game 5?

It should tell us that they need to score no less than four runs for their chances to win to stay relevant.

In the initial game of the series, Los Angeles jumped out to a big lead and let their defense do the talking the rest of the way in a 4-3 road win. Something similar would be nice, but the nerves that come with a game like this won’t rest easy.

They didn’t win the NL West for no reason, did they?

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Los Angeles’ offense must come alive and not look back