We made it to the final four in baseball. Through two rounds of these postseasons, the Dodgers and Mets emerged from the National League to wage a cross-country battle with a World Series berth on the line.
This National League Championship Series promises plenty of fireworks, with a star-studded roster led by Shohei Ohtani, Francisco Lindor, Mookie Betts and Pete Alonso ready to put on a show as soon as Match 1 Sunday in Los Angeles.
Let’s break it down.
NO. 6 NEW YORK METS vs. #1 LOS ANGELES DODGERS
How they got here
Put: No one in baseball has won more games since June 1. All the delicious moments – Pete Alonso’s pumpkin, Jose Iglesias’ music career, Grimace – somewhat overshadow the fact that this team has been phenomenal for 15 weeks.
So far in October, New York’s starting pitchers have won the day. A Mets starter has yet to allow more than three earned runs in a start. As a unit, they allowed 10 runs in 37 innings, good for a 2.43 ERA. In Games 3 and 4 of the NLDS against the Phillies, Sean Manaea and José Quintana combined for just one earned run in 12 innings. This group has stepped up considerably, which is a good thing considering how the bullpen seems relatively taxed right now.
The Dodgers: Expectations are still higher in Los Angeles, as they should be, given this team’s payroll and star power on an annual basis. But even against the playoff team, no one wanted to see the San Diego Padres, Dodgers showed a different type of fight and managed to impose itself in the most intense series so far in the playoffs.
Yes, the Dodgers had big changes throughout the series from Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernández and Kiké Hernández. But the key to Los Angeles’ comeback against San Diego was the bullpen. The Dodgers relievers held the Padres scoreless for the final 24 innings of the series. The big, bad Dodgers were on the ropes, but with new life, they’re starting to realize just how good they are.
Key match
The Mets pitch against Shohei Ohtani:
Shohei Ohtani has the ability to change any game at any time with one move. He will be the focal point of the Mets pitching staff throughout the NLCS. After his equalizing circuit in the first game against the PadresSan Diego did a good job neutralizing Ohtani, as he went 4 for 20 with 10 strikeouts for the rest of the NLDS.
But there was clearly a plan of attack throughout the series, and having an elite, high-leverage arm such as Tanner Scott to take on Ohtani late in the match certainly helps. If New York wants to have a chance against one of the best lineups in MLB, the Mets pitchers need to stop this lineup’s engine in Ohtani.
How they win
Put: The Mets can win this series because their starting pitching and pitching depth are significantly better than the Dodgers. Being able to deploy Sean Manaea, Luis Severino and José Quintana will give New York a fighting chance every game. And with their biggest stars playing like stars At the perfect time, the Mets’ bats will put pressure on Los Angeles’ starting pitchers – or lack thereof – every game, quickly reaching the Dodgers’ bullpen, which will have a carry-over effect as it goes on. as the series progresses. The resistance of the Los Angeles relievers could make the difference in this one.
The Dodgers: If the Dodgers win the NLCS, it will be because they flipped the switch. after Game 3 of the NLDS has given them a renewed belief that at their best, they are better than their competitors. From an offensive standpoint, few, if any, teams can hit with these Dodgers. And with Mookie Betts starting to look like him, Ohtani still threatens to leave the court and the depth that Los Angeles presents, especially with Hernández’s pair getting hot, if a game in the series turns into a high-scoring affair , the Dodgers have a huge advantage.
Series prediction
Dodgers on seven: This series will not be a walk in the park for either team. The Mets feel like the team of destiny this postseason, but that shouldn’t distract from the fact that they’re a very good ball club. The Dodgers come in with plenty of momentum after an exciting series against their rival Padres. New York has a clear advantage as a starting pitcher, but the Los Angeles lineup is built for strikes and big swings that change a game.
The difference likely lies in the bullpens and managers. Dave Roberts and Carlos Mendoza have both dominated their opponents so far in October. Mendoza hasn’t looked fazed in the postseason, even as a rookie manager, but Roberts still has the edge, having experienced these moments so many times before. This series will go the distance, but the Dodgers’ experience will give them the edge and send them to the World Series for the first time since 2020.
