Instead of pitching his hometown team into the World Series, Jack Flaherty sent the NL Championship Series back to California.

The Dodgers used their key bullpen arms for a grand total of one batter as Dave Roberts considered the bigger picture.

Put a cork in it. The tarp taped above the lockers in the visitors’ clubhouse at Citi Field was never put to use. The champagne stayed on ice. Whatever visions the Dodgers might have had about closing out the New York Mets in five games and celebrating Friday night had to be stored away in the overhead space for the flight back to Los Angeles.