Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers Pitchers Championed by MLB Fans After NLCS Game 1 Win vs. Mets

The Los Angeles Dodgers opened the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets in spectacular fashion on Sunday, earning a 9-0 win at home for their third consecutive shutout victory.

Shohei Ohtani went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs, and Max Muncy had a two-run single to lead the Dodgers lineup. Los Angeles scored its first six runs on singles before Mookie Betts broke the game open with a bases-clearing three-run double in the eighth inning.

The Dodgers' pitching staff continued its epic run behind a strong start by Jack Flaherty, who pitched seven innings with two hits, two walks and six strikeouts. Daniel Hudson and Ben Casparius pitched the final two innings to preserve the shutout, extending the team's streak to 33 straight innings and tying the postseason record for most consecutive scoreless innings.

Fans on social media were excited by the performance of the Dodgers both on the mound and at the plate in Sunday's win:

Los Angeles overcame a 2-1 series deficit in the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres, but 8-0 and 2-0 wins propelled the team to the NLCS against a New York team that upset the NL East champion Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS.

Flaherty and the rest of the pitching staff helped the Dodgers continue their wave of momentum and get the NLCS started in the right direction.

The Dodgers will try to protect their home-field advantage when they face the Mets in Game 2 on Monday.