Mets and Dodgers to Meet in NLCS for the First Time Since 1988
Photo Credit: Jim McIsacc, Getty Images
After one of the most up and down seasons in the history of the franchise, the New York Mets are heading to the National League Championship Series to take on the Los Angeles Dodgers. A team that has fought and battled back all year continues to do so this postseason, advancing over the Phillies on Wednesday after a 4-1 victory.
The starting pitching was the story for the Mets the entire series, with Sean Manaea and Jose Quintana providing impressive outings. It has been an incredible story to see several Mets pitchers reinvent themselves and lead the team this season. Sean Manaea has had a career year for this Mets pitching staff, throwing to his lowest ERA and highest inning total of his nine-year career. David Peterson has been another revelation for the Mets, posting a career low 2.90 ERA in 121 innings this season. He has been incredible this postseason, giving them length out of the bullpen after being a starter for the entire year. For the Mets to win this series though, it will have to be with their offense. The Dodgers’ starting pitching has been exploitable for much of this season, and it has continued into the postseason. The Mets will have to score early against the Dodgers before getting into their deep, talented bullpen. Mark Vientos and Pete Alonso have brought the power for the Mets in the first two postseason series’, power that will be relied upon if the Mets want to continue their magical run.
Contrary to the Mets, the Dodgers have been the odds-on favorite to win the World Series throughout the entire season. Offseason acquisitions Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are major reasons why, and both have proven their worth so far this postseason. Yamamoto threw five scoreless innings Friday night over a red-hot San Diego Padre lineup, helping the Dodgers advance to the NLCS. Ohtani had two hits and three RBIs in Los Angeles’ Game 1 win over San Diego and will look to continue his MVP-caliber season against the Mets.
The story of this series though will be the rest of the Dodgers’ pitching staff, which dealt with injuries throughout the year and has struggled so far this postseason. Right-hander Jack Flaherty allowed four runs on five hits in his first start this postseason, while Walker Buehler gave up six runs on seven hits during his Game 3 outing. The Dodgers showcased their best pitching through their bullpen game in Game 4, an approach they may have to return to against the Mets. To win this series the Dodgers must get better production and more length from their starting pitching, as the Mets have shown the ability to score runs both early and late in games.
