Baseball fans excited for NLCS Game 3 at Dodger Stadium

Excitement was in the air well before the first pitch at Game 3 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS) between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs.

Fans arrived at Dodger Stadium hours before, ready to cheer on their teams, who entered the best-of-seven series tied at a game apiece.

“I cannot believe that I’m actually here for this playoff game, and with the Cubs, there’s not a better team to play,” said Dodgers fan Monica Karl.

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The fans, more than 54,000 by the time the final attendance was tallied up, came from far and wide, from Southern California and well beyond.

“We flew in all the way from Boise, Idaho,” said John Palomarez, attending the same with his son Daniel. “We came down just to support the Dodgers.”

Under postcard like weather conditions, the first NLCS game in Los Angeles in three years also offered spectators an opportunity to make lasting memories.

“For my son to be here at a playoff game is really special to us,” said Dodgers fan Sean Porcher of Nipomo, attending the game with his son Jack. “As a child, I never got to go to a playoff game, so for me to bring him here is special for me, and special for him.”

While Dodgers fans not surprisingly far outnumbered Cubs fans in attendance, those cheering on Chicago said they felt this season is something special, and is vastly different like so many others that proceeded it.

“I think this is the year, it’s going to happen,” said Cubs fan Hector Hernandez of Orange County. “Just everything, the pitching, the hitting, the everything. I think this is the year.”

“A lot of people like to bring up all the past failures and everything, but this year seems a little different,” said Cubs fan Cody Stuart of Newport Beach. “There’s something with the bullpen and the lineup, and guys have this energy you haven’t seen in past years.”

While the Dodgers entered the game still three wins away from the World Series, fans were already dreaming of seeing their team play in the Fall Classic after a 28-year absence.

“I think we’re due,” said Dodgers fan Juanita Canley of Ventura. “I think we have a fantastic team. I’d like to see it happen.”

If Los Angeles does indeed make it to the World Series, the team will have to survive what has already a wild playoff ride.

“Postseason takes on a whole different animal as far as the psyche that takes place. Every pitch, every ball, every throw, every ball that’s hit into the air and on the ground has a personality of its own, and you don’t know if it’s a good personality, or it’s going to bite you,” said Dodgers broadcaster Rick Monday, who played for both teams during his 19-year MLB career. “It’s aggravating and it’s fun. Everybody is on the edge of their seat and that’s fun,

By the end of the night, the Dodgers had beaten the Cubs 6-0 to take a 2-1 series lead. For Dodgers fans, they exited Dodger Stadium believing their team is on the verge of achieving something special, a World Series appearance, which would be the first for the franchise since 1988.

Game Four is set for Los Angeles on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m.