The NLCS is set for an exciting showdown between the New York Mets (89-73) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (98-64). The best-of-seven format will see the initial and final two games hosted in Los Angeles, while the middle three will take place in New York. The Mets earned their spot in this series after overcoming the Brewers in the Wild Card Round and pulling off an impressive upset against the Phillies in the NLDS. On the other hand, the Dodgers, who secured a bye as the top seed in the National League, triumphed over the Padres in a decisive Game 5 of their NLDS matchup. The Mets have chosen Kodai Senga (3.38 ERA) as their starting pitcher for Game 1, while the Dodgers will counter with Jack Flaherty (3.17 ERA). Fans can catch the first pitch at 8:15 PM EST from Dodger Stadium on FOX.
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Mets Aim for Glory
The New York Mets are on a remarkable journey through October, just four wins shy of a World Series appearance. They have demonstrated consistency in their gameplay, boasting a 40-27 record following the All-Star Break. Their NLDS matchup against the Phillies marked a historic first playoff encounter between the two teams, which the Mets navigated successfully, winning three of the first four games. A highlight of this series was Francisco Lindor’s grand slam in Game 4, which propelled the Mets to a 4-1 victory.
After the game, Lindor expressed his ambitions to ESPN, stating, “I want to win it all. And ours will be a team that will forever be remembered. This will be a team that comes every 10 years and eats for free everywhere they go. And I want to do that. I want to do that. But the job is not done.” Lindor, who has taken on the leadoff role, celebrated his first postseason home run, raising his RBI total to six. Additionally, Pete Alonso, who led the team in home runs during the regular season, has continued to shine in the playoffs, currently leading the Mets with three home runs. Mark Vientos has also been a standout performer, batting an impressive .429 with two home runs and seven RBIs throughout the postseason.
Kodai Senga will be on the mound for the Mets in Game 1. This choice hints at a possible bullpen strategy, as the team looks to conserve their starting pitchers for later games. Senga, a 31-year-old right-hander, had a limited regular season, pitching only one game. His postseason experience consists of just two innings, suggesting the Mets might frequently switch pitchers throughout the game against the formidable Dodger lineup.
Dodgers’ Resilience on Display
The Dodgers entered the postseason with high expectations but faced challenges in their NLDS against the Padres, requiring all five games to secure their advancement. During the regular season, the Dodgers had a strong record against the Padres, winning four of their six matchups. With the 2-3-2 series format, home teams are under pressure to secure early victories to avoid elimination on the road. In Game 5, Teoscar Hernandez’s solo home run in the seventh inning provided a crucial insurance run for the Dodgers.
Despite battling injuries throughout the season, including Shohei Ohtani’s absence from pitching and Mookie Betts missing over 40 games, the Dodgers have shown resilience. Betts, reflecting on the media’s predictions prior to the series, commented, “All season everybody says the Dodgers are winning the World Series, the Dodgers are winning the World Series. And we get to this series, and all of a sudden we’re the underdog.” Betts contributed significantly with two home runs in the NLDS, batting second in the lineup. Hernandez also excelled, boasting a series-high .333 batting average and two home runs. Ohtani, while not at his peak performance, managed one home run but batted only .200 over the five games.
Jack Flaherty will take the mound for the Dodgers in Game 1. The 28-year-old right-hander finished the regular season with a 13-7 record. In his previous postseason appearance against the Padres, he pitched 5.1 innings, allowing four earned runs. Flaherty recorded 194 strikeouts during the season and aims to deliver a strong performance, potentially pitching six or more innings if he finds his rhythm.
Best Bets for the Mets vs. Dodgers Showdown
As the first game of the NLCS approaches, the Mets face a challenging situation with their bullpen strategy, especially given their 15th-ranked team ERA this season. Starting Senga, who has limited experience, raises concerns about facing the top hitters from the Dodgers lineup. Even a short outing by Senga could lead to significant damage from Los Angeles’s powerful batting order. Flaherty, with the 15th most strikeouts and the 13th best ERA this season, gives the Dodgers a notable advantage on the mound. Following a tough series against the Padres, the Dodgers are prepared to take on the Mets and their relievers. Having previously beaten the Mets in their regular-season series, and with their roster at full strength, the Dodgers look poised to capitalize on any opportunities presented. Ohtani’s quieter performance in the last series will likely shift, as he aims to reaffirm his status as one of baseball’s elite players. While the Mets have defied expectations to reach this stage, overcoming the Dodgers with Flaherty on the mound will prove to be a formidable task.
