Dodgers Defeat Padres, Advance to NLCS

The Los Angeles Dodgers secured their first National League Championship Series (NLCS) berth since 2021 by defeating the San Diego Padres 2-0 in a decisive Game 5 of the NL Division Series. Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto was pivotal, allowing only two hits in five innings, marking a historic duel against fellow Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish. The Dodgers' offense was powered by home runs from Kiké Hernández and Teoscar Hernández, while their bullpen ensured a 24-inning scoreless streak for the Padres. The loss was a disappointment for Padres fans, who had high hopes for the season, especially in honor of their late owner Peter Seidler. Dodgers fans celebrated the win, which exorcised recent postseason demons, and the team now looks forward to facing the New York Mets in the NLCS, beginning Sunday at Dodger Stadium.