We’ve been hearing it for over two weeks now, nineteen days to be exact: “This is the most important game of the year for the Dodgers.”

The first was on Monday, October 1, 2018, when Dave Roberts’ team was forced to play what will forever be known as “163” against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium in a win-or-go home (sort of) tie-breaker to determine the winners of the 2018 National League West Division, with the loser being one of two NL Wild Card teams.

The Dodgers won, to claim their franchise record-setting sixth consecutive NL West title. It was the most important game of the year.

…and then it wasn’t.

The winner of the Dodgers first most important game of the year, Game number 163, was 24-year-old Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler. No pressure here. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

That new distinction next went to the Dodgers’ October 8 game against the Atlanta Braves where, up two games to one in the 2018 NLDS, the Dodgers needed to win one more game at an extremely annoying tomahawk-chopping SunTrust Park in Atlanta to avoid having to win two on the road to advance to the National League Championship Series.

The Dodgers won, to put them into contention for their second consecutive NLCS. It was the most important game of the year.

…and then it wasn’t.

That new distinction went to the Game-5 of the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers on October 17 at Dodger Stadium where, tied at two games apiece and even though not an actual elimination game per se, might as well have been because of this:

About as close to an elimination game as you can get without it being an actual elimination game. It was the most important game of the year.

…and then it wasn’t.

That distinction now belongs to Friday night’s extremely crucial NLCS Game-6 to be played at a very less-than-friendly Miller Park in Milwaukee where, should the Dodgers win, they will advance to their second consecutive World Series to face the best-in-the-game-today Boston Red Sox. However, should the Dodgers lose on Friday night, they will be forced into Game-7 of the NLCS, also at Miller Park, with the advantage absolutely positively going to Craig Counsell’s Brewers for what would indeed be the most important game of the year.

…until the World Series, that is.

Left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu will be on the mound for the Dodgers for their latest most important game of the year against the Brewers at Miller Park on Friday night. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Play Ball!