Cody Snavely
In the words of Mookie Betts, “You gotta turn the page and get ready for the next one,” and that is precisely what the Los Angeles Dodgers’ mindset needs to be as they return home for Game Six of this National League Championship Series.
Overall, the Dodgers did exactly what they needed to do in this seven-game series after splitting the first two games at home. The team went to Queens, New York, and took two of three against a New York Mets team that had forty-six wins at home this season and was undefeated in two games at Citi Field so far this October.
Despite right-handed pitcher Jack Flaherty suffering one of the worst starts in his career, allowing eight runs on eight hits while only giving the Dodgers three total innings, the bullpen, per usual, was able to limit the blow. Brent Honeywell Jr. saved the day, pitching 4.2 innings in relief, setting the team up perfectly with their planned bullpen game for tonight.
The offense, despite being down 8-2 by the fourth inning, scored four more runs, making the New York Mets use their high-leverage arms: right-handed pitcher Ryan Stanek and all-star closer Edwin Díaz, who pitched two innings each.
In reality, the New York Mets, after the second-half season and the postseason run they’re on, were not going to lose three straight games in front of their home crowd, which is a tall task to ask from any team, including the Los Angeles Dodgers.
However, the Mets, with the win, have gained some of that swagger and confidence back and look to continue playing with their backs against the wall, heading to Chavez Ravine with their “ace” on the mound, hoping to force a Game Seven.
The Dodgers, on the other hand, hope to snuff out the fire of the 2024 New York Mets season, as the team aims for just one more win to clinch the National League Pennant.
On the rubber
TBD (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs Sean Manaea (2-0, 2.65 ERA)
For the third time this postseason and second time in this NLCS, the Los Angeles Dodgers will deploy a bullpen game after using righty Jack Flaherty in Game Five on Friday.
With the Dodgers down early in Game Five and opting to stretch Flaherty for three innings and Brent Honeywell Jr. for the next 4.2 innings, their pitching staff is set after yesterday’s off day.
This Game Six has lingered in the back of Dodgers manager Dave Roberts‘s head for a few days as the plan for Game Five was hoping that Flaherty had his game working and go with the high-leverage late to try and seal the deal in New York.
The plan backfired, and instead of opting to use his high-leverage arms on consecutive days, he wanted them to be fully prepared for this start tonight.
However, unlike in Game Two of this series, where the Dodgers also threw a bullpen game, do not expect to see the Dodgers try to deploy a “bulk innings guy” like Landon Knack but something similar to Game Four of the National League Division Series in San Diego, which saw all the Dodgers’ high-leverage arms used.
Despite a few hiccups in this series, the Dodgers bullpen has a collective 2.45 throughout this postseason. So, for Game Six, expect to see pitchers Evan Phillips, Michael Kopech, Blake Treinen, Anthony Banda, and more.
On the mound for the New York Mets is left-handed pitcher Sean Manaea, who was dominant in Game Two of this NLCS last Monday, tossing five innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits while striking out seven Dodger hitters. The lone blip to Manaea’s line was the walks which has been a common thing for the Mets pitching staff this series issues thirty-six free passes in five games.
In eleven appearances versus the Los Angeles Dodgers, the lefty is 1-5 with a 7.09 ERA and forty-two strikeouts. However, after reinventing himself this season with a more Chris Sale-esque arm slot, Manaea has been a whole new pitcher who has kept multiple top offenses off balance, including the Philadelphia Phillies and these Los Angeles Dodgers.
However, it will be something to watch if Manaea, a player who had an ERA north of seven in the postseason coming into this series, will also have the guts to pitch with his team on the brink of elimination on the road.
New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza will also likely be very aggressive in this game, as every batter could change the outlook for the New York Mets’ season.
The Mets bullpen has been a spot of weakness so far in October, posting a 5.16 ERA in 45.1 innings so far this postseason and, for a bit, made Game Five a much more interesting game after home runs by Andy Pages and Mookie Betts.
Who to watch?
My player to watch for the Los Angeles Dodgers is shortstop Tommy Edman, who has been a lefty masher this season with the Dodgers and has already left his mark all over this National League Championship Series.
During the regular season, Edman had a .412/.417/.882 slash line and a 1.299 OPS versus southpaws, and in his career is 1-for-1 off Mets lefty Sean Manaea with a solo home run.
So far in this NLCS, Edman has been a real bright spot for the Dodgers, not only playing excellent defense and filling in for injured veteran shortstop Miguel Rojas but has been swinging a powerful bat, hitting .409/.391/.500 with two doubles and seven RBIs.
For the Dodgers to step up big versus a powerful lefty on the mound, they’ll need Edman to step up big, and if he does so, we could be looking at our NLCS Most Valuable Player Award winner.
Another player to watch for the Dodgers is first baseman Freddie Freeman, who, according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, could consider benching the all-star first baseman with a lefty on the mound and his 0-for-5 performance in game five, stating his swing did not look right.
As for the New York Mets, I’ll go with first baseman Pete Alonso, who was silent for most of the series until Game Five, where the polar bear went 2-for-3 with a massive three-run home run and four runs scored.
With Lindor’s bat starting to wake up, along with the threat of third baseman Mark Vientos, the Dodgers need to keep Alonso at bay, or this series may see a seventh game.
Where to watch
The National League postseason will be exclusively broadcast on Fox Sports One (FS1) or Fox all the way up until the World Series.
Dodgers play-by-play broadcast announcer Joe Davis will join Atlanta Braves legend John Smoltz on the call as the primetime Fox baseball crew will broadcast this series.
First pitch for game five is set for 5:08 PM PT at Dodger Stadium.
Betting Odds
The Dodgers are -141 moneyline favorites in this matchup with the Mets (+119). Los Angeles is a 1.5-run favorite (at +146 odds). An 8-run total has been listed in this matchup.
The Dodgers are also favored in the win probability at 59% compared to the New York Mets at 41%.
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