To say that Tuesday night’s 5-3 win over the San Francisco Giants was enormous is a major understatement. In addition to what would have been the Dodgers 12th consecutive loss, it also might have been Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw’s second, something almost unheard-of these days.

But in addition to snapping the worst skid in LA Dodgers history, Tuesday night’s win may prove to be the turning point for the Dodgers – not only for the final two weeks of the regular season, but heading into the postseason, for which they officially clinched a berth with their exciting win on Tuesday night.

Although it was Chase Utley’s splash hit home run to lead off what would end up being a four-run fourth inning that got things rolling, it was Kershaw’s subsequent double into the left-center field gap that seemed to awaken a Dodgers offense that has been in a coma for more than two weeks. But it’s what Kershaw did after reaching second base standing up that may have resurrected the Dodgers World Series hopes.

Chase Utley’s splash-hit home run on Tuesday night was only the fourth by a Dodger. The others were Todd Hundley in 2000, Dioner Navarro in 2011 and Joc Pederson in 2016.
(Video Capture courtesy of SportsNet LA)

After safely reaching second base, the fiercely competitive 29-year-old Dallas, Texas native turned to the Dodgers’ dugout on the first base side of AT&T Park and yelled “let’s go!” to his teammates. Although some may consider this Little League-ish or perhaps even arrogant, the simple truth is that it worked.

When your unofficial team leader yells to you “Let’s go!” it’s usually a good idea to get going.
(Video capture courtesy of SportsNet LA)

The Dodgers got off to a slow start Tuesday night, stranding seven runners on base in the first three innings. And after a surprise solo home run by Giants shortstop Kelby Tomlinson – his first of the season and second in his three-year MLB career – in the bottom of the third, the Dodgers found themselves in an all-too-familiar role, playing catch-up baseball. Fortunately, they did so in the top half of the following inning on Utley’s solo blast, a sacrifice fly by Corey Seager, and a two-run double by Yasiel Puig. They would add a crucial insurance run in the top of the eighth inning on an RBI double off the bat of Justin Turner.

As for Kershaw, who picked up his MLB-best 17th win (tied with Brewers right-hander Zach Davies) and lowered his ERA to an MLB-best 2.12, he allowed two runs (one earned) on eight hits with one walk and six strikeouts in his 6.0 innings of work. He was replaced on the mound by right-hander Ross Stripling, who allowed one run on two hits in his one inning pitched and Brandon Morrow, who allowed no runs and only one hit with two Ks in his 0.2 inning of work.

Even though Kershaw will probably tell you that he could have done better on Tuesday night against the Giants at AT&T Park, he was pretty darn good. He is also responsible for both of the Dodgers last two wins.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts brought in his star closer Kenley Jansen for a four-out save and he did just that, while allowing no runs and three his with the strikeouts to collect his 37th save of the season.

While it remains to be seen whether or not Tuesday night’s exciting win is indeed the turning point for the Dodgers and their recent struggles, it’s hard not to feel good about it, especially when it was against The Hated Ones.

Thanks Dodgers … we needed that.