Tommy Edman bails out Dodgers star Teoscar Hernández after a catastrophic error in the first inning

While Los Angeles Dodgers star Teoscar Hernández’s agent has certainly been feeling unwell lately, he may want to exclude the first inning of NLCS Game 6 from the highlight reel he’s sending out to potential suitors this offseason his customer sends.

Hernández, who is dominating this season in LA on a one-year deal, was one of the most surprising big bats on the Dodgers’ path to the precipice of the World Series in 2024. But in his first appearance, he committed a foul in Game 6 against a hungry New York Mets team he a mortal sin.

With a runner on and one out, Hernández hit a hardliner off Sean Manaea to the middle of the field. It looked like this could sneak out. For Hernández, however, it looked like he was out so decisively that he lapsed into a ball-spotting run and was unable to turn on the jets and reach second base.

If the Mets had induced a double play — which is normal when Sean Manaea makes a sidewind on the mound — that would have been a guarantee for Hernández wearing the early goat horns.

But whatever. The game’s next batter, Tommy Edman, waited for a changeup and hit it down the left field line. Hernández, extremely busy Nowscored effortlessly from first base to give the Dodgers a much-needed 2-1 lead.

Dodgers possible NLCS MVP Tommy Edman drives in two runs, striking out Teoscar Hernández in Game 6 against the New York Mets

If he hadn’t scored, we could have added this moment to an unfortunate list that started with Shohei Ohtani in Game 5.

Edman makes a far more unlikely hero than Hernández. The massive No. 3 hitter was the focal point of the Dodgers lineup all year long, terrifying LA’s opponents. Edman, signed on a whim of the trade, missed the entire first half in St. Louis with foot problems. Would he be able to strike when he returned? Would his trademark versatility be compromised by his deficient lower body? So far he hasn’t missed a moment; Edman hit .435 in the NLCS in his first at-bat in Game 6, a huge improvement over the Dodgers’ .237 mark in the regular season.

Both Edman and Hernandez starred this fall. But if the Dodgers’ good vibes are to continue, Hernández must treat every remaining at-bat like a crucial opportunity. Just ask his agent.