The New York Mets are headed home with momentum in the 2024 National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Mets jumped all over Dodgers pitching in Game 2, scoring six runs in the first two innings, starting with Francisco Lindor's lead-off home run in the first and punctuated with Mark Vientos' grand slam in the second.
Now, with the series even at a game apiece, the next three games are at Citi Field, starting Wednesday. New York, which clinched a playoff spot in a makeup doubleheader the day after the regular season was scheduled to end, now has home-field advantage in what has become a best-of-five to advance to the World Series.
While the Mets have a clear advantage in starting pitching, the Dodgers' bullpen might be their biggest concern. The Dodgers have relied heavily on their bullpen this postseason, but it's starting to show signs of fatigue. In Game 2, the Dodgers were forced to use their key pen trio of Evan Phillips, Michael Kopech, and Blake Treinen after the Mets took a 6-run lead. With only three starters on the roster, the Dodgers will need to throw another bullpen game unless they can wrap things up in five. That's only good news for the Mets.
The Dodgers have been hit hard by injuries this season, and their pitching staff is no exception. Tyler Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw, Gavin Stone, Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin, Emmet Sheehan, and River Ryan are all currently out, along with Shohei Ohtani, at least as a pitcher for now. This has left the Dodgers with a depleted rotation, and they've been forced to rely on their bullpen more than they would like.
Walker Buehler, the Dodgers' Game 3 starter, is a former October star but is not the same pitcher since his second Tommy John surgery. He's starting more out of necessity than belief. The Dodgers also have questions about Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a highly touted free agent who has been limited to five-inning outings. He's a talented pitcher, but he hasn't been the superstar the Dodgers were hoping for.
The Mets, on the other hand, have a strong starting rotation, led by Luis Severino. Severino has been impressive in the postseason, and he'll be looking to give the Mets a strong start in Game 3.
The Mets also have a deep and talented bullpen, which gives them a major advantage in this series. With a strong pitching staff and a potent offense, the Mets are poised to make a deep run into the playoffs.
The Mets' offense has been clicking on all cylinders this postseason. Mark Vientos has been a revelation, leading MLB in hits and RBIs entering Game 3. He's been a force in the Mets' lineup, and he's giving the Dodgers' pitching staff fits. Francisco Lindor has also been a key player for the Mets, and he's been a threat to go deep at any time. The Mets have a balanced offense, and they're capable of putting up runs in bunches.
The Mets' home field advantage will also be a big factor in this series. Citi Field is a tough place to play, and the Mets' fans are always loud and energetic. They'll be out in force for Game 3, and they'll be looking to give the Mets a big boost.
The Mets have a chance to make a deep run in the playoffs, and they'll be looking to take advantage of their home-field advantage and the Dodgers' pitching woes.
Mets Look to Keep Momentum Rolling
The Mets are looking to keep their momentum rolling into Game 3 of the NLCS. They've won two of their last three games, and they're feeling confident.
Dodgers Looking to Regroup
The Dodgers are looking to regroup after their Game 2 loss. They're still a very talented team, but they'll need to find a way to get their pitching staff back on track if they want to win this series.
Who Will Win?
The Mets have a clear advantage in this series, but the Dodgers are still a formidable opponent. This series is going to be a battle, and it's going to come down to who can make the most crucial plays.
The Mets will need to keep their offense rolling, and they'll need to get solid pitching from their starting rotation and their bullpen. The Dodgers will need to find a way to get their pitching staff back on track, and they'll need to get some timely hitting.
This series is going to be a lot of fun to watch, and it's going to be interesting to see who emerges as the victor.
The Importance of the Series
The Mets are looking to make a deep run in the playoffs, and a win over the Dodgers would give them a huge boost. The Dodgers are looking to win their second straight NL pennant, and they're not going to let the Mets get in their way without a fight.
This series is going to be a lot of fun to watch, and it's going to be interesting to see who emerges as the victor.
The Mets' Home-Field Advantage
The Mets have home-field advantage in the NLCS, and they'll be looking to take advantage of it. Citi Field is a tough place to play, and the Mets' fans are always loud and energetic. They'll be out in force for Game 3, and they'll be looking to give the Mets a big boost.
The Dodgers' Pitching Woes
The Dodgers have been hit hard by injuries this season, and their pitching staff is no exception. Tyler Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw, Gavin Stone, Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin, Emmet Sheehan, and River Ryan are all currently out, along with Shohei Ohtani, at least as a pitcher for now. This has left the Dodgers with a depleted rotation, and they've been forced to rely on their bullpen more than they would like.
The Mets' Offense
The Mets' offense has been clicking on all cylinders this postseason. Mark Vientos has been a revelation, leading MLB in hits and RBIs entering Game 3. He's been a force in the Mets' lineup, and he's giving the Dodgers' pitching staff fits. Francisco Lindor has also been a key player for the Mets, and he's been a threat to go deep at any time. The Mets have a balanced offense, and they're capable of putting up runs in bunches.
Conclusion: Mets Have the Edge
The Mets have a clear advantage in this series, and they'll be looking to take advantage of it. They have a strong pitching staff, a potent offense, and home-field advantage. The Dodgers are still a very talented team, but they'll need to find a way to get their pitching staff back on track if they want to win this series.
The Mets have a chance to make a deep run in the playoffs, and they'll be looking to take advantage of their home-field advantage and the Dodgers' pitching woes.
