LOS ANGELES – Max Muncy believes the Los Angeles Dodgers have reignited their World Series challenge after his walk-off home run clinched a marathon duel with the Boston Red Sox.
Muncy’s 18th inning homer gave the Dodgers a 3-2 win which cuts Boston’s lead in the best-of-seven series to 2-1 with games four and five scheduled at Dodger Stadium on Saturday and Sunday.
In the 115-year history of the World Series, a 2-0 series deficit has only been overturned on 11 occasions – and the Dodgers have authored three of those comebacks.
And Muncy believes the Dodgers could haul themselves back into contention against the Red Sox this weekend after Friday’s thriller.
“It’s big time,” Muncy said. “This was a gut-wrenching game for both sides.
“This is one of those games that whoever came out on top is going to have a lot of momentum going into tomorrow. This was an extremely long game, 18 innings.
“A lot of pitchers were used. Every position player was used. Injuries on both sides. Their guys are banged up, our guys are banged up.
“It’s one of those things when you’re able to come out on top from a game like this, you have to feel it gives you a little momentum going to the next one.”
Muncy’s walkoff winner on Friday was the latest milestone in a miraculous rise for the 28-year-old, who was facing up to a failure to crack the big leagues last year after being let go by the Oakland Athletics following spring training.
He was later signed by the Dodgers and spent 2017 in the minor leagues before stepping up to the Majors this season.
He would go on to lead the Dodgers with 35 home runs, fifth in the National League.
Muncy admitted he was still struggling to come to terms with his meteoric rise.
The man of the night! ... Or morning.
Either way, here is @Dodgers hero Max Muncy with @Ken_Rosenthal after his walk-off in the 18th inning in the World Series! pic.twitter.com/vXCPt6wLzx
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 27, 2018
“It’s been a dream,” he told reporters. “This whole year has been a surreal experience that it’s hard to put into words.
“But just getting a chance to play in the World Series has kind of capped it off.
“And then getting a chance to hit a walk-off home run, obviously there’s not many words I can use to describe that. The feeling was just pure joy and incredible excitement.
“That’s about all I can think of because it’s hard to describe how good a feeling it is.”
Damage done. #LADetermined pic.twitter.com/3SxbBAGhCX
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 27, 2018
Muncy traces his success to technical improvements in his swing and mental approach. “There’s a lot of mechanical changes, most importantly a lot of mental changes,” he said.
“And all that put together has led to his point right now.”