MLB playoffs: Dodgers head to World Series after 11-1 win against Cubs

Hailey Hernandez

MLB playoffs: Dodgers head to World Series after 11-1 win against Cubs image

Dodgers vs. Cubs Game 5 stats

For the first time since 1988, the Dodgers are headed to the World Series. They entered the game on Thursday night wanting to end the season for the Cubs and they did just that. Los Angeles clinched the NLCS in Game 5 with an 11-1 statement win against Chicago at Wrigley Field.

Enrique Hernandez led the offense for the Dodgers hitting his first career postseason home run in the second inning. He didn't stop there, adding a grand slam in the third that put the Dodgers in the driver's seat with a seven-run lead. Once more for good measure, Hernandez hit a third one out in the top of the ninth to carry the team back to Dodger's Stadium to take on Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday. Hernandez set a Dodgers' postseason record with his three homers and seven RBIs.

MLB PLAYOFFS: Enrique Hernandez lifts Dodgers into World Series with Puerto Rico on his mind

Chris Taylor and Justin Turner earned co-NLCS MVP honors. Taylor got his chance in place of Corey Seager (back), but he has proven his worth. Taylor finished the NLCS series with two home runs, two doubles and a triple. Turner had two home runs of his own in crucial moments for the Dodgers. He hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Dodgers the win in Game 2.

The Dodgers entered the postseason with the best regular-season record, as well as one of the most dominant pitching staffs in the league. Clayton Kershaw pitched six innings and held Chicago to three hits. He gave up one home run to Kris Bryant for Chicago's only run of the night. After coming up short in Game 6 of the 2016 NLCS against the Cubs, the Dodgers were the ones spraying champagne this time around at the Wrigley Field. They will wait now for the winner of the ALCS between the Yankees and Astros where Kershaw will be on the mound again.

Dodgers vs. Cubs: Updates, highlights from NLCS Game 5

Check out what you may have missed with SN's live updates and highlights:

(All times Eastern)

Final: Dodgers 11, Cubs 1

10:10 p.m. —  Bryant, Rizzo and Contreras are due up for the Cubs in the bottom of the ninth. Last chance here. And they go down in order to send the Dodgers to the World Series.

11:05 p.m. —  Hernandez does it again! He hits his third home run of the night. This one is a two-run shot to center field. Dodgers now lead the Cubs 11-1.

10:37 p.m. —  Ian Happ and Mike Montgomery enter the game for the Cubs. Culberson starts off the eighth inning with a triple over Almora's head in center field. 

10:34 p.m. — The Dodgers bullpen has just completed 21 consecutive scoreless innings. 

10:27 p.m. — Kenta Maeda enters the game for Kershaw in the bottom of the seventh inning and the Cubs are down to the final nine outs of their season.

10:21 p.m. — Kershaw threw 89 pitches and had five strikeouts. He gets a hug from Dave Roberts in the dugout and his night is done.

10:19 p.m . — Schwarber just bunted for a single so that's how tonight is going for the Cubs. Bryant grounds out and Rizzo lines out to Forsythe who makes the play in the shift and we head to the top of the seventh. 

10:04 p.m. —  Cubs bring out their third pitcher of the night with Brian Duensing and he gets three quick outs.

10 p.m. —   Tommy La Stella comes in to hit for Lackey in the bottom of the fifth inning but its another scoreless inning from Kershaw.

9:43 p.m. — Kris Bryant gets the Cubs their first hit of the night with a solo homer to left. Dodgers lead 9-1.

9:32 p.m. —  Logan Forsythe doubles off the ivy in left field to score Bellinger and Puig. Dodgers are pouring it on and they take a 9-0 lead.

9:26 p.m. —  I can only imagine how quiet Wrigley Field is right now. 

9:17 p.m. —   Leonys Martin is in to hit for Rondon so that will bring up John Lackey.

9:04 p.m. —  Rondon clears the bases, by giving up a grand slam. Hernandez hits his second long ball of the night and Dodgers now have a 7-0 lead. Cubs have scored seven runs in the entire NLCS.

9:02 p.m. —  Instead, his starter gets six outs before he is pulled.

8:54 p.m. —  Taylor strikes again, with a shot down the left field line. He ends up with a ground rule double after the ball bounced into the stands and it is Turner who brings him home this time. Bellinger and Puig both single and the Cubs have bases loaded with no outs. That'll do it for Quintana and the Cubs are forced to go to Hector Rondon in the third inning.

8:48 p.m. —  Three up, three down for Kershaw. Charlie Culberson made a great play from his knees to throw out Contreras.

8:37 p.m. —   Enrique Hernandez goes deep to center field for his first career postseason home run. Dodgers lead 2-0. 

8:30 p.m. —  Schwarber draws the walk but Cubs can't bring him around. They are 1-for-30 with RISP this postseason. Dodgers hold a 1-0 lead heading into the top of the second inning.

8:20 p.m. —  Bellinger rips one down the line into the corner in right field to score Taylor and the Dodgers have an early 1-0 lead. For the first time in the NLCS, the Dodgers are on the board before the Cubs.

8:10 p.m. — Quintana walks Taylor. Taylor's last three plate appearances have been: 8-pitch walk, 7-pitch walk and 9-pitch walk.

7:20 p.m. — Here are the lineups for both teams.

7:15 p.m. — Without Lester or Davis, Cubs will have to rely heavily on their starting pitcher (Quintana) to make it through at least six innings. Arrieta was first Cub starting pitcher in the series to make it through the sixth inning in Game 4.

 

Hailey Hernandez