Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
The Los Angeles Dodgers are back in the World Series after eliminating the New York Mets in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series, led by Tommy Edman’s big night at the plate.
Edman delivered a go-ahead two-run double in the first inning that helped the Dodgers erase an early 1-0 deficit. Then in his next at-bat, he hit a two-run homer that extended the team’s lead.
Edman was named 2024 NLCS MVP after batting .407/.393/.630 with three doubles, one home run and 11 RBI across six games.
Edman hit safely in all six NLCS games and recorded at least one RBI in five of them. He drove in four runs over the first three matchups before going on to add three in Game 4 and four more on Sunday.
The Dodgers acquired Edman in a three-team trade with the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago White Sox at the deadline. He didn’t make his season debut until August but certainly has left a good impression on his teammates and coaches.
“It’s a crazy trajectory. I can’t say enough about the front office being able to acquire him at the deadline. What he can do for us on the field, in the clubhouse, it’s just amazing,” manager Dave Roberts said of Edman.
“I never imagined once we acquired him, he’d be hitting fourth in a postseason game. But I trust him. The guys trust him. He’s made huge defensive plays for us and had huge hits. Just very fortunate to have a player like Tommy.”
Edman finished the NLCS batting in the cleanup spot, both because of his hot hitting and Freddie Freeman not being in the Dodgers lineup due to his sprained right ankle. Edman also started in center field during the first three postseason games but has since become the starting shortstop due to Miguel Rojas’ sports hernia.
“I didn’t really think too much about the spot in the lineup I was hitting, more just situational. If there’s guys on base, just try to put something in play and have a chance to drive guys in. I don’t know if the spot in the lineup necessarily means that much to me,” Edman said.
“But, I mean, I didn’t really know what my role was when I got traded here. The postseason, moving around a little bit. I feel like I’ve just done a good job of adjusting to whatever is required of me in any given situation.”
Tommy Edman ties with Corey Seager for Dodgers record
Edman’s 11 RBI during the NLCS tied Corey Seager’s Dodgers postseason record for most in a single series.
“They did not inform me of that, nor did they inform me I was going to be hitting cleanup,” Edman joked after the game.
“But it’s pretty crazy, especially with the history of the organization to have tied that record. I had no idea about it until I guess after the game. But a huge part of that is a testament to the guys on the team.
“We had really good at-bats throughout the series. Our whole lineup was really good lineup. Any number of guys could have won MVP. I kept getting up with guys on base and had a lot of opportunities to drive runs in.”
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