Andy Pages' NLDS Heroics Mark Evolution for Dodgers Star
A year after a disappointing postseason, Andy Pages delivered a clutch hit to send the Dodgers to a 4-1 series victory over the Braves.
Andy Pages' pivotal hit in Game 4 of the National League Division Series was a significant moment for the Los Angeles Dodgers, culminating a year of dedicated improvement.
Pages drove in the runs that secured the Dodgers' 4-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday night, advancing the team in the NLDS. "Tonight, Andy picked us up huge with a big hit," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
The performance marked a stark contrast to Pages' previous postseason. Last year, he struggled offensively, batting .078 and finding himself on the bench by the World Series. However, Pages views that experience not as a setback, but as a catalyst for his development.
"I don’t even think of what happened last year," Pages said. "What happened, happened. The way Pages viewed it, his miserable offensive performance on the Dodgers’ World Series run last year wasn’t something for which he had to make up. The experience, Pages said, made him the player he is now."
After last year's postseason, Pages focused on becoming a more selective hitter. He utilized a pitching machine called a Trajekt Arc to hone his approach. This dedication led to his first All-Star selection this season.
Despite a broken hand in late August that nearly ended his season, Pages remained focused. He returned for the final week of the regular season, batting .333. However, his struggles reappeared in the first two games of the NLDS, where he went 0-for-7 and appeared lost at the plate. His ABS challenge privileges were even revoked after an unusual attempt to question a called strike.
Roberts expressed confidence in Pages, stating, "This is one of those things where I’m gonna continue to give Andy leash. I believe in him. 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."
Pages began to rebound with a two-hit performance in Game 3. In Game 4, with the game tied 1-1 in the seventh inning and the bases loaded, Pages delivered a two-run single up the middle, giving the Dodgers a 3-1 lead. "I was waiting for that moment," Pages said. "I prepared a long time for that moment, and thanks to God I was able to get the result."