Dodgers bring up Rockies, Game 163 before NLCS Game 5

October 1, 2018; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler (21) throws against the Colorado Rockies during the second inning in the National League West division tiebreaker game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
October 1, 2018; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler (21) throws against the Colorado Rockies during the second inning in the National League West division tiebreaker game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts referenced the Colorado Rockies and his team defeating them in Game 163 of the 2018 season in a strange way on Friday night.

Prior to the Dodgers and Atlanta Braves meeting in Game 5 of the 2020 National League Championship Series, and with L.A. facing a 3-1 deficit and must-win situation, Roberts pinned his hopes on 23-year-old starter Dustin May to keep the Dodgers in the postseason. It apparently reminded Roberts of another situation where the Dodgers needed to win … the Game 163 matchup against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on October 1, 2018.

Rockies fans need no reminder about that game, which represented Colorado’s best chance to win the National League West title in recent memory. The Rockies were up on the Dodgers by a game in the standings two days before the end of the regular season, but a home loss to Washington dropped the Rockies into a tie with the Dodgers and would eventually force Colorado to head west for a tie-breaking game.

Colorado lost that game (Game 163) 5-2 thanks in part to 6.2 innings of one-hit shutout baseball thrown by Walker Buehler. There’s the context for the Game 163 reference given by Roberts on Friday, which is below.

More from Colorado Rockies News

While Buehler had a solid season in 2018, it was Game 163 against the Rockies where he flexed the dominance on the mound that carried over to a 14-4 mark in 2019 with a 2.62 ERA and 1.042 WHIP.

Just like Buehler was in his second Major League season when he won Game 163, May is in his second big league campaign as he takes the mound on Friday in an effort to keep the Dodgers’ season alive.

The Dodgers and Braves meet for Game 5 of the NLCS at 7:08 p.m. (Mountain time).

Count Tyler Matzek as a reason for Rockies fans to cheer for Braves over Dodgers. dark. Next