PSO Premium Review: Dodgers vs. Braves NLCS Game 7

1. Cody Bellinger is a certified legend

Right as Cody Bellinger connected on a 2-2 fastball in the bottom of the 7th inning, Drake’s “Legend” lyrics, “If I die, I’m a legend” were surely going through the reigning MVP’s head. Not only does the 25-year-old already have an MVP and ROY award as part of his career resume, but he also added the biggest hit in recent Dodgers history to his legacy. The legendary go-ahead dinger concluded an epic at-bat that saw him fight off multiple pitches on the outside corner of the plate from Chris Martin to wait for his pitch that he finally got in an 8-pitch AB battle. He enjoyed that HR as much as anyone ever has with an all-time pimp job and a celebration with his teammates that actually injured his shoulder. He seemed fine afterward, catching the final out of the game. Even if he goes 0-for-25 in the World Series, he’s still a legend for what he did in this NLCS Game 7. 

2. Dave Roberts out-managed Brian Snitker

Kike Hernandez’s bomb was almost as monumental as Bellinger’s since it set up Cody’s chance to take the lead, but also included the element of being a pinch-hitter in a big spot. The reason Hernandez hit the second pinch-hit HR in Game 7 history was because Dave Roberts made the perfect substitution and Brian Snitker made a costly mistake. It’s easy to say any Manager that pulled off a 3-1 comeback outmanaged the opponent, but it proved true in one of the most important matchups of the entire series in that sixth inning. Snitker went with AJ Minter while Roberts countered with Hernandez who made Roberts look like a genius with a solo shot that proved critical in LA’s comeback aspirations. Roberts was surely going to get canned if the Dodgers didn’t beat the Braves in this series, but now his job is likely secured unless LA suffers a sweep against Tampa Bay. 

3. 2020 NLCS Game 7 was one of the best MLB games ever

As much praise as Cody Bellinger and Dave Roberts deserve for LA’s Game 7 win, some credit has to go to the game itself. Any baseball fan has to agree that this Game 7 battle was one for the ages. A quick 2-0 Braves lead got eviscerated by Will Smith before Atlanta regained the lead only to see a pinch-hitter tie it up in the 6th with one swing of the bat. Then, of course, the most memorable moment from the game was Cody Bellinger not only LAUNCHING a game-winning bomb after an epic at-bat, but then pimping it like no other as the ball flew over Ronald Acuna’s head. Mookie’s robbed HR and a double-play at the plate that rarely happens provided the final touches to a game that will certainly be remembered for a while.