Game 4 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS) will take place Thursday evening, featuring the Los Angeles Dodgers (98-64) squaring off against the New York Mets (89-73). With the series format set at 2-3-2, Games 3, 4, and 5 are all hosted in New York over consecutive days. After a commanding 8-0 victory in Game 3, the Dodgers now lead the series 2-1. The starting pitchers for this matchup are Yoshinobu Yamamoto for Los Angeles (3.00 ERA) and Jose Quintana for New York (3.75 ERA). The first pitch is scheduled for 8:08 PM EST at Citi Field in Queens, and fans can catch the action on FS1.
Dodgers Seize Momentum in Series
The Los Angeles Dodgers regained momentum in the series by claiming victory in their first game of the NLCS held in New York. They now have the opportunity to conclude the series within the next two days, potentially avoiding a return to Los Angeles for Games 6 and 7. In Game 3, five different players contributed RBIs to the team’s win, highlighted by Shohei Ohtani’s impressive three-run home run in the 8th inning, which sealed the game.
Walker Buehler set a strong tone for Los Angeles, pitching four scoreless innings and striking out six batters. His most significant strikeout came against Francisco Lindor with the bases loaded and two outs in the 2nd inning, which prompted manager Dave Roberts to commend Buehler’s poise in a high-pressure situation. Ohtani’s power has been a notable factor for the Dodgers, with five players hitting multiple home runs in the playoffs so far. Max Muncy leads the charge with three homers, while Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernandez, and Enrique Hernandez each have two. Tommy Edman, although not known for his power, leads the team with nine hits and a .321 batting average in the postseason.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a 26-year-old right-hander, will take the mound in this crucial game. He posted a 7-2 record this season with a 3.00 ERA, striking out 105 batters while allowing 22 walks and seven home runs. Yamamoto has had a mixed postseason so far, with two starts against the Padres—one yielding five earned runs over three innings and the other being five scoreless innings in a victory.
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Mets’ Key Players Struggle
In Game 3, the Mets faced a tough loss in a game that was anticipated to be competitive. New York fell behind early and struggled to find their rhythm, finishing the game with only four hits. Star players Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor collectively went 0-8, striking out four times. Despite having a robust lineup, the Mets need their top hitters to perform if they hope to compete in this series.
Manager Carlos Mendoza addressed the team’s struggles at the plate, stating, “I like the fact that we are getting guys on base. Just haven’t been able to come up with a big hit. As long as we continue to create traffic, somebody’s going to come up and get that big one for us.” Alonso has hit three home runs this postseason but is batting just .212. Lindor has similar struggles with a .211 average and two homers. Both players have contributed to the team’s run production, with Lindor recording seven RBIs and Alonso six. Mark Vientos has emerged as a player to watch, leading the Mets with three home runs and 11 RBIs during the playoffs.
Jose Quintana, the 35-year-old left-handed pitcher, will start for the Mets. He ended the regular season with a 10-10 record and a 3.75 ERA, along with 135 strikeouts and 63 walks. Quintana has excelled during the playoffs, pitching six scoreless innings against the Brewers and five scoreless innings against the Phillies, both resulting in victories for the Mets.
Best Bets for Dodgers vs. Mets in Game 4
Game 3 proved pivotal for the series, and the Mets were unable to capitalize on their opportunities. The Dodgers enter Game 4 with a clear advantage, particularly with injuries affecting their pitching rotation. Three of their top five starters are sidelined, including Tyler Glasnow, Bobby Miller, and James Paxton. Despite these setbacks, Los Angeles managed to secure a 2-1 series lead thanks to Buehler’s strong performance and a bullpen effort in Game 2.
Yamamoto’s season performance shows promise with a 3.00 ERA and a 7-2 record, allowing him to pitch deeper into the game compared to previous starters. This could be crucial in stifling a Mets’ offense that struggled in Game 3. Alonso and Lindor’s low batting averages in the postseason further complicate New York’s chances. Conversely, Quintana’s postseason form has been solid, but he previously allowed eight hits in his only outing against the Dodgers.
As the Dodgers aim to secure Game 4, they inch closer to a potential World Series berth.
