October’s Unlikely Hero: Kiké Hernández Strikes Again in Dodgers’ NLDS Triumph
As the crisp autumn air settled over Dodger Stadium on Friday night, few could have predicted the familiar face that would emerge as the evening’s hero. Kiké Hernández, a seasoned veteran with a knack for October magic, wasn’t even supposed to be in the starting lineup. But fate had other plans.
When shortstop Miguel Rojas was sidelined with an injury, Hernández got the nod. And boy, did he deliver. In the second inning, he smashed a solo home run off San Diego’s Yu Darvish, breaking the ice in a nail-biting 2-0 victory for the Dodgers in Game 5 of the National League Division Series.
This wasn’t just any home run. It was Hernández’s fourth career homer in a win-or-go-home postseason game, tying him with Yankees slugger Aaron Judge for the most all-time. Let that sink in for a moment.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn’t mince words when praising Hernández’s postseason prowess. “He’s one of the great postseason players of our time,” Roberts declared. Coming from a manager who’s seen his fair share of October baseball, that’s high praise.
Roberts has good reason to sing Hernández’s praises. Remember 2017, when the Dodgers clinched their first National League pennant under Roberts’ leadership. In that decisive Game 5 against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, Hernández put on a show for the ages, blasting three home runs in an 11-1 rout.
But Friday night’s game wasn’t just about Hernández’s bat. The Dodgers’ pitching staff struggled earlier in the series and found its groove at just the right time.
After falling behind 2-1 in the series with a tough 6-5 loss in Game 3 at San Diego, the boys in blue flipped the script. They shut out the Padres for a record 21 straight innings, a feat that will be discussed for years.
Hernández’s presence on the field brought a wealth of experience to the Dodgers’ lineup. With 74 career postseason games under his belt, he had more October experience than any other player on either team’s starting roster.
When asked about his ability to perform under pressure, Hernández shared wisdom beyond baseball. “October can shake a player’s confidence,” he admitted. “But confidence is a choice.
Everything changes if you can find a way to feel differently about pressure situations. Your body language improves, and when you confidently carry yourself, good things happen.”
Hernández’s name now sits alongside other Dodger legends who’ve come up big when it mattered most. From Johnny Podres’ shutout against the Yankees in Game 7 of the 1955 World Series to Larry Sherry’s heroics in 1959, and more recently, Juan Uribe’s clutch performance in 2013, Hernández has carved out his place in Dodger lore.
With Friday’s homer, Hernández now boasts 14 career postseason home runs, nine of which have come in Dodger blue. His recent postseason form has been incredible, with 25 hits in his last 59 at-bats.
So, what’s the secret to Hernández’s October success? When asked, he quipped, “I like Halloween.” This blend of skill, experience, and lighthearted attitude makes Hernández such a valuable asset in high-stakes games.
As the Dodgers move forward in their quest for another World Series title, fans and teammates alike will look to Hernández to sprinkle more of his postseason magic. If history indicates, he’ll be ready when his number is called.
In a sport where legends are made in October, Kiké Hernández continues to write his chapter. And for Dodger fans everywhere, it’s a story they hope will have many more thrilling installments.