National League West rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres, wrapped up their NLDS on Friday. The Dodgers won 2-0 in Game 5 of their division series, clinching the series with a 3-2 victory.
With both teams boasting large fan bases, the game was expected to draw significant viewership, and that expectation proved true. According to Fox Sports, the game became the most-streamed Division Series game in their history.
Game 5 of the 2024 NLDS was also the network’s most-watched Friday telecast since last year's World Series. FOX Sports PR shared the news on their official X account with the caption:
“California Love 😎 Last night, #NLDS Game 5 on FOX delivered the network’s most-watched Friday telecast since last year's World Series and the most-streamed Division Series Game in FOX Sports history.”
The streaming platform revealed that 7.5 million viewers tuned in across FOX's streaming services, including Fox Deportes, to watch the Dodgers vs. Padres game. The game averaged 7.24 million viewers, becoming the most-watched LDS game since Game 5 of the 2017 ALDS.
Dodgers' pitching staff excelled, allowing no runs in their 2-0 victory over the Padres
In the Los Angeles Dodgers' Friday NLDS finale, their pitching staff showcased stellar performance, while the offense provided strong support. Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched five innings, allowing just two hits and one walk, while striking out two.
Yamamoto threw 63 pitches, with 39 of them for strikes. In the sixth inning, Evan Phillips replaced Yamamoto and continued the scoreless streak, striking out three batters. Following Phillips, Alex Vesia, Michael Kopech and Blake Treinen also took the mound, not allowing any runs to the Padres.
On the other hand, Padres' Yu Darvish pitched 6.2 innings, allowing three hits and two earned runs to the Dodgers, while striking out four batters. Dodgers' Teoscar Hernández hit a 420-foot homer off Darvish, driving in two runs and securing the 2-0 victory for his team
The Dodgers are now scheduled to face the New York Mets in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series on Sunday.