Kiké's 14th Playoff Home Run Highlights Why Dodgers Pursued Reunion
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LOS ANGELES – The nickname "Mr. October" may be taken, but Kiké Hernández has demonstrated time and again that he’s a player no opposing team wants to face in the postseason spotlight.
The Dodgers are set for Game 1 of the NLCS, presented by loanDepot, this Sunday at 8:15 p.m. ET/5:15 PT on FOX. Hernández played a pivotal role in leading the Dodgers to their first National League Championship Series since 2021, smashing a solo homer in the second inning of Friday night’s 2-0 victory over the Padres, a hit that proved to be the winning run.
With the season on the line in Game 5 of the NL Division Series, Hernández stepped up for his first at-bat against Padres starter Yu Darvish, launching a first-pitch fastball into the left-field pavilion.
If it seems like Hernández consistently rises to the occasion in the postseason, it’s no coincidence: his average of 13.43 at-bats per home run ranks fifth-best in postseason history among players with at least 150 plate appearances. The only players ahead of him are:
- Nelson Cruz: 10.39 AB/HR
- Kyle Schwarber: 10.86 AB/HR
- Bryce Harper: 11.35 AB/HR
- Mickey Mantle: 12.78 AB/HR
Hernández's 428-foot home run in Game 5 was a sight to behold. “We’re in Los Angeles, home to some of the greatest athletes of all time. Those great ones aren’t afraid to fail,” manager Dave Roberts said. “When it comes to the postseason, you can’t be scared to fail. This guy always rises to the occasion. That’s why Andrew [Friedman], [Brandon Gomes], and I made the decision to bring Kiké back. Our goal is to win 11 games in October.”
Hernández’s performance amplifies when the stakes are high. His at-bats per home run ratio in the regular season is 29.1, while over a quarter of his postseason hits have been home runs, compared to just 14.5% during the regular season. With 14 postseason homers—though not all with the Dodgers—he holds the record for the most by any active Dodger.
Hernández approaches these moments with a calm confidence, a mindset rooted in preparation. He recalls his first postseason experience in 2015, when a frustrating double play in Game 5 of the NLDS led to a narrow loss for the Dodgers. That moment inspired him to change his mental approach.
In 2017, after resolving to visualize every possible scenario leading into big games, Hernández hit three homers and drove in seven runs in Game 5 of the NLCS.
As he prepared for Game 5 against the Padres, Hernández had even grander expectations, envisioning himself replicating Francisco Lindor's grand slam from the previous game. Ultimately, he drove in the winning run.
“It’s easy to envision failure in the postseason,” Hernández reflected. “Anxiety and self-doubt can creep in, but visualization helps. When those thoughts arise, I picture myself succeeding over and over again. By the time game day arrives, I’ve already lived through it, so nothing feels overwhelming.”
Hernández only received a start in this year’s NLDS in Game 4 due to injuries to both Freddie Freeman and Miguel Rojas, but he’s made an impact, going 3-for-7 in his two starts while effectively fielding both third base and center field.
The Dodgers face a tough situation with Freeman and Rojas uncertain for future games due to injuries. However, whenever there’s room in the lineup, Hernández thrives in these October moments.
“In big games, he always shows up,” said Gavin Lux. “He has that look in his eyes like he’s going to do something big, and the team feeds off that energy.”