Kiké Hernández Sparks Red Sox with Game-Winning Blast: See Highlights & Reactions

Los Angeles — Versatility has always been Kiké Hernández’s calling card, but October 2025 has elevated the Puerto Rican utilityman into full-blown postseason folklore for the Los Angeles Dodgers. In the first four games of the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, Hernández is slashing .306/.375/.417, compiling four RBI while starting at three different positions. The performance builds on a résumé that already made him one of just six active players with at least 90 career playoff hits. “October Kiké isn’t just a nickname, it’s a mentality,” manager Dave Roberts said after Game 2, when Hernández roped a game-tying double off Blue Jays ace Kevin Gausman and later scored the go-ahead run. “He plays every pitch like it’s winter-ball championship time.” Clutch DNA Hernández’s postseason OPS of .792 now ranks ahead of legends such as Derek Jeter and David Ortiz (minimum 300 playoff plate appearances). In 43 October series with the Dodgers and Red Sox, he owns 14 homers, 49 RBI and a +8 defensive runs saved total. His latest highlight reel includes: • Game 1: a sliding grab in left field that robbed Bo Bichette of extra bases. • Game 2: a game-tying double in the 7th inning. • Game 3: a safety-squeeze bunt that broke a 4-4 tie. Those micro-edges add up. Los Angeles is 12-2 this postseason when Hernández starts; opponents are 7-1 when he sits. “I live for moments like this,” Hernández told MLB.com, echoing his now-viral quote: “Yo vivo para esto”. Re-signing that paid instant dividends Last winter the Dodgers inked Hernández to a one-year, $10 million deal primarily for his clubhouse leadership and playoff track record. President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman admitted the front office viewed October as a “big factor” in that decision. The ROI came fast: Hernández tallied nine hits and drove in seven runs during the NLCS versus Atlanta, earning series MVP honors. Swiss-army defense Hernández’s glove has been a tactical dream for Roberts, who has shuffled him between shortstop, second base, center field and left depending on matchups. According to Statcast, he has recorded the fastest average infield transfer time (0.62 sec) among players who logged at least 20 chances at multiple positions this postseason. “He lets us optimize every pitching matchup because we never lose a defensive edge,” Roberts said. Ohtani connection fueling eyeballs Off the field, Hernández generated social buzz by arriving to Game 4 in a custom Dodgers hockey sweater emblazoned with Shohei Ohtani’s No. 17, a nod to the two-way superstar rehabbing from elbow surgery. The outfit trended across X and Instagram, racking up 2.1 million impressions in 12 hours. Brand analysts at Zoomph estimate the viral moment produced $420,000 in ad value for the Dodgers’ social channels. Historic company At 34, Hernández is now tied with Jorge Posada for 10th all-time in postseason appearances (129 games). One more plate appearance will tie him with Manny Ramírez for the most by a Puerto Rican-born player in playoff history. If his current batting line holds, he will become the first MLB hitter to post a .300+ average, .375+ OBP and .400+ SLG in three separate postseasons. What’s next? The Dodgers hold a 3-1 series edge heading into Thursday’s Game 5 at Chavez Ravine. Left-hander Julio Urías will start opposite Toronto’s José Berríos, but eyes will again drift to Hernández, who owns a .958 OPS lifetime versus Berríos. Another clutch swing could ice Los Angeles’ eighth World Series crown—and etch “Mr. October” onto a new Hollywood marquee.