Los Angeles Dodgers: Three keys to win the NLCS in Game 6

By Jason Reed | Oct 19, 2018

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 17: Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers is greeted by teammates Yasiel Puig #66 and Joc Pederson #31 at the entrance to the dugout after Turner scored during the sixth inning of Game Five of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium on October 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Dodgers /

2. Hyun-Jin Ryu needs to get through the order the first time clean

There is the adage that it is not about how you start, it is about how you finish and the Los Angeles Dodgers definitely know that from this series. With two comeback wins and a walk-off in the 13th inning, the Dodgers have been finishing games strongly.

However, in Game 6, how the Dodgers start is going to be equally important to how the team finishes. In particular, the Dodgers need Hyun-Jin Ryu to start the game on the right foot.

The Dodgers need Ryu to get through the order the first time cleanly. No runs allowed and no real stress in the first three innings for Ryu. While expecting him to be perfect is absurd, Ryu needs to look to get through the first three innings without allowing a runner in scoring position.

Once Ryu gets rolling it is hard to stop him and he has looked like a legitimate ace at times this season. In Game 2, his leash was rather short, however, it worked out in the Dodgers’ favor.

To guarantee at least six innings out of Ryu the Korean southpaw is going to need to fluster the Brewer bats early. Not only will this take the crowd out of the game, but it will give the offense a chance to attack Wade Miley without the pressure of playing from behind.

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