MILWAUKEE — It has stared at them for a year now, dancing beyond their reach, swaggering around their pain, teasing, taunting, challenging.

On a cold Saturday night at Miller Park, a blue-hot baseball team finally confronted their demon, stuck their chin in its face and challenged it to another fight.

Welcome back, Dodgers, to the World Series.

Welcome back to your dream. Welcome back to your nightmare.

This time, one more win, OK?

After spending six months investing all their energy in returning to the spot that left them so empty, the Dodgers were rewarded with a second consecutive World Series berth after a 5-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series.

Advertisement

They will play the favored American League champion Boston Red Sox beginning Tuesday in Boston, a tough task, but the Dodgers will revel in it. After losing last year’s World Series to the Houston Astros in Game 7, they spent all season in search of redemption, and they finally earned that chance on a night of rich history and dazzling beauty.

And, oh yeah, also a night of poetic symmetry, as the final score exactly matched the score of last year’s loss in World Series Game 7.

“It’s a magical thing,” said co-owner Peter Guber, standing amid the spraying champagne of the Dodgers’ fourth such party in three weeks.

It ended with Clayton Kershaw fittingly on the mound, the ace pitching the ninth inning in relief, his giant figure smothered by hugging and leaping Dodgers who clearly can’t wait to begin the final leg of their journey.

“There was a message in last year’s Game 7, we learned from that as a team, and everybody thought about this moment, getting back to the World Series,” said Chris Taylor.

The franchise’s first consecutive World Series appearances in 40 years was a milestone that crossed time zones. Back in Los Angeles, in the middle of LeBron James’ home debut for the Lakers, the video board broadcast the final out to a roaring crowd and Randy Newman singing, “I Love L.A.'”

Advertisement

In the joyous Miller Park visiting clubhouse, any singing would have been drowned out by the spraying and screaming and thinking about the next step.

“We play to win,” said chairman Mark Walter, soaking wet like everyone else.

This was the 30th anniversary of the day the Dodgers clinched their last World Series championship, a reminder of the drought that shadows their every move. Yet it was a victory filled with the kind of memories that could allow this bunch to write a new history.

They won with an audacious, two-strike bunt single by the constantly booed Manny Machado that led to a two-run homer by Cody Bellinger in the second inning.

“It was unbelievable how he actually got the bunt down, and to think about getting the bunt down,” said Bellinger.

They won with a stunning, lunging, over-the-shoulder catch by Taylor in deep left field to keep the tying run from scoring in the fifth inning.

Advertisement

“It was a big moment,” said Taylor. “I’m just glad I made the play.”

They won with rookie starter Walker Buehler rising up to equal the biggest moment of his young career, with one allowed run in 42/3 innings, and kid Julio Urias coming out of nowhere to record the biggest out of his career.

And, of course, this emotionally swinging team couldn’t have done it without Yasiel Puig putting on a nutty show, with a game-clinching three-run homer in the sixth inning featuring an accompanying trot filled with a veritable Swiss Army knife of gestures.

He did a crotch chop. He did a throat slash. He did a chest thump. He raised the roof. He danced in the dirt.

It was all in good fun, but there is much more fun to be had if they can navigate the difficulties awaiting them at Fenway Park.

“Great for baseball, two storied franchises going head to head,” said Dodger Manager Dave Roberts. “It’s going to be a great series.”

Advertisement

The Red Sox had the best record in baseball this season with 108 wins, 16 more than the Dodgers. The Red Sox breezed through the AL playoffs, winning seven of nine games. The Red Sox will be favored in this series by anybody who has seen them play.

Any of that sound familiar? They sound just like the Dodgers in last season’s World Series against the Houston Astros, no?

So anything can happen, something the Dodgers proved in the NLCS, a thrill ride featuring memorable highs and striking lows.

The Dodgers’ last title was long ago, and their close call last October made the drought seem even longer.

Now they have another shot. That’s all they’ve wanted. They played like it on Saturday night. Bring on the demon. Bring on the dream.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.