L.A. Dodgers: The NL Division Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals stands tied at two thanks to a clutch two-out single in the eighth inning by second baseman Chase Utley to secure a 6-5 win on Oct. 12. Utley’s single lifted the Dodgers out of what seemed a certain Nats win to give L.A. a better chance to move into the NL Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs. Clayton Kershaw had his second non-Kershaw-esque outing of the series, giving up five earned runs through 6.2 innings of work. Thankfully, timely hitting and a solid bullpen kept the Dodgers’ hopes alive to play another day. Game five is Thursday, Oct. 13.
Player of the week: Second Baseman Chase Utley: Game-winning, two-out single in the eighth inning
L.A. Rams: Los Angeles kept it close through three quarters, but Buffalo Bills cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman’s pick-six off Rams’ quarterback Case Keenum midway through the third put the game out of reach for the Rams. The Oct. 9 game at the L.A. Coliseum marked Robey’s homecoming as he played college ball at the University of Southern California. Robey picked off both interceptions thrown by Keenum in the game. Keenum seemed to command the offense well for most of the game. However, when it got closer to crunch time, Keenum buckled under the pressure of the stout Buffalo defense. The Rams will travel to Detroit for an evenly matched battle against the Lions on Sunday, Oct. 16. The Rams remain in the thick of things in the NFC West as they now sit second in the division behind the Seattle Seahawks.
