ATLANTA -- The Dodgers were already envisioning the trumpets sounding before Edwin Díaz slammed the door in their most meaningful games when they inked the closer to a three-year, $69 million deal last December. He was brought in to anchor their 'pen ahead of their bid for the fifth three-peat in World Series history.
But as recently as mid-September, when Díaz was on the IL for the second time this season, there was some doubt surrounding his spot in the postseason bullpen -- let alone whether the Dodgers would hand him the ball in a save situation.
Each time Díaz took the mound after returning from injury, he regained another inch of trust from the Dodgers. After he pumped triple-digit heat in Game 2 of the NL Division Series, manager Dave Roberts had seen all he needed to call on Díaz in the bottom of the ninth inning with a two-run lead in Game 3.
There were no trumpets at Truist Park, of course. But after giving up a loud leadoff double to Ozzie Albies, Díaz retired his final three batters to convert the save and lock down a 3-1 victory, which gave the Dodgers a 2-1 edge in the NLDS.
L.A. is one win away from reaching the NL Championship Series for the third straight year.
"We...