What happened: Kyle Tucker went deep for Los Angeles as the Dodgers built a 5-1 lead in a game that remained in progress. The swing cut through a season-long slump storyline that had followed him into the postseason.

Why it matters: That jolt matters for a Dodgers lineup leaning on timely power in October, and it gives Los Angeles more room as the game moves deeper. It also changes the tenor around Kyle Tucker at a moment when every plate appearance carries postseason weight.

What to watch: The next question is whether Los Angeles can keep the lead intact into the late innings. Tucker's next trip up will show whether the homer was a single answer or the start of a bigger night.