ATLANTA -- Coming off a historically poor offensive performance last postseason, Andy Pages went hitless through the first two games of this year's NL Division Series. The small sample of seven at-bats raised some concerns, especially because he missed most of the final month of the regular season due to a fracture in his left hand.
Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged that Pages' performance was some cause for concern. But before the series shifted to Atlanta, Roberts reaffirmed his trust in the young center fielder, a first-time All-Star who became an integral piece of the Dodgers' lineup this season.
"I believe in him," Roberts said. "I feel that for us to win the World Series this year, we're gonna need him to be an active part of our team."
Roberts' faith was rewarded when Pages came through with a two-run single in the seventh inning of NLDS Game 4 on Wednesday night at Truist Park, driving in the winning runs of the Dodgers' 4-1 victory over the Braves that punched their ticket to a third straight NLCS appearance.
"I like being in those at-bats," Pages said in Spanish. "There are times the result comes, sometimes not. But I prepare to be in those spots, and today I was able to get the result."
Said president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman: "My favorite players [are] the ones where you just keep ripping up the sheet in terms of what the strengths are, what the goals are, and they just keep exceeding expectations. And Andy has definitely been that."
The Dodgers have won their past five road postseason games dating back to Game 2 of the 2025 World Series, tying a franchise record. They are 10-1 in their past 11 road postseason games and 14-3 in their past 17. Game 1 of the NLCS is scheduled for Sunday at American Family Field in Milwaukee after the Brewers beat the Padres, 3-1, to clinch their NLDS on Wednesday night.
Bidding for the fifth three-peat in World Series history, the Dodgers have advanced to the next stage in their title defense. Three wins down, and eight to go if they are to reach their ultimate goal.
Pages' breakthrough single was the Dodgers' first -- and only -- hit in 20 plate appearances with runners in scoring position in the NLDS. In all best-of-five or longer postseason series, no team has had no hits in such situations and still won the series.
Last year, Pages' .211 OPS was the worst by any player who had taken at least 50 plate appearances in a single postseason. The poor performance led to him being benched from the starting lineup starting in Game 5 of the World Series, although he made a game-saving catch in Game 7 as a defensive replacement.
Pages used last year as fuel for his breakout 2026. And though he wasn't a big factor at the plate in the first three games of the NLDS, he announced himself with authority in Game 4.
"In this sport, you can't carry previous postseasons into this postseason. Everything is a new chapter," Kiké Hernández said. "Every time you take the field in October, you get an opportunity to rewrite your story."
Atlanta starter Tyler Mahle had been in a groove since the Dodgers tied the game with the help of two Braves errors in the second inning, but his outing came to an end after giving up a single to Teoscar Hernández with one out in the seventh. Righty reliever Didier Fuentes, who had stymied L.A. for 3 2/3 innings in Game 2, got the second out but issued consecutive walks to load the bases.
Right-hander Robert Suarez came on to face Pages, who worked a full count before getting a fastball he could work with. He punched a base hit into left-center, breaking the tie for good.
"You tip your cap to Pages, man," Braves manager Walt Weiss said. "He hit a 100 mph heater back through the middle."
Entering Game 4, the Dodgers had scored 10 runs this postseason, all via the long ball. They sought to become less reliant on homering over the course of the series, even though power is the ultimate game changer at this time of year.
After grinding out Chris Sale after five innings in Game 3, the Dodgers felt like their at-bat quality was finally where it needed to be. That carried over to Game 4 -- even though it took longer to break through against Mahle and the Braves' 'pen -- all culminating in Pages' at-bat.
"It's been incredible, especially the way he's working, just to be ready for these big moments," Teoscar Hernández said. "Now that he understands he doesn't have to do too much to help this team win games, I think everything is coming back to the way it was before he got hurt.
"He's one of the best on the team. We get to this point because of him, the regular season he had. This is not a surprise for me that he's having this kind of moment in the playoffs."
The Dodgers relished their NLDS victory, spraying champagne and puffing on cigars while celebrating in the visitors' clubhouse. But it won't be long until they get back to work.
As they prepare to head to Milwaukee, the Dodgers are hopeful that it won't take until the series finale to come through with runners in scoring position this time around.
"I think it speaks to the vast number of ways we can win a baseball game," Friedman said. "But certainly, for quality of life, would like us to cash in a few more of those opportunities in the next round."