Dodgers win the West, face Braves in NLDS

Walker Buehler had his coming out party as the Dodgers' ace last night, shutting down Colorado in a 5-2 win over the Rockies that gave Los Angeles their sixth straight NL West title.

Cody Bellinger and Max Muncy hit two-run homers and Buehler got the first RBI of his career as the Dodgers earned a spot against Atlanta in the NLDS starting Thursday at Chavez Ravine.

Buehler went 6.2 innings, struck out three and surrendered one hit in the biggest game of the year so far. Kenley Jansen pitched the ninth and gave up solo homers to Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story, but it was a case of too little, too late for the Rockies, who play in the Wild Card play-in game tonight.

The Dodgers went 5-2 against Atlanta this year, and if they get past the Braves, they will face off against the Milwaukee/Colorado/Chicago winner in the NLCS.

Hyun Jin Ryu will be on the bump Thursday in LA with Clayton Kershaw scheduled to go Friday. Games 3 & 4 will be in Atlanta Sunday and Monday with a Game 5, if necessary, back at Chavez Ravine on Wednesday, Oct. 10.

Former Dodger Charlie Culberson is the shortstop for the Braves, which have a lineup led by Freddie Freeman, Ronald Acuna, Jr., Nick Markakis and Ozzie Albies. All-Star Mike Foltynewicz, a righty, will be on the mound for the Braves on Thursday.

Ryu has been lights out since coming off the DL, posting a 7-3 record and 1.97 ERA. Foltynewicz is 13-10 with a 2.85 ERA.