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On Sunday, the Mets will return to Dodger Stadium looking to keep their season alive. A rather unlikely postseason surge, it all comes down to two must-win games in LA, the first of which will transpire on Sunday.
After losing the first two games at home, the Mets rallied on Friday night. A three-run homer from Pete Alonso opened the scoring before Starling Marte made it 5-1 with a two-run RBI double in the third. Although Andy Pages homered twice alongside Mookie Betts, the Mets held on to win 12-6, making it a 3-2 series.
"The @Mets keep their season alive with an emphatic win in Queens! #NLCS" - MLB
Mets vs Dodgers recent form and records
With an 89-73 regular season record, the Mets qualified for the postseason on the final day of the season. After besting the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLWCS, the Mets did away with the Phillies in the NLDS. Though their chances appear shaky, the Mets are still set on qualifying for their first Fall Classic since 2015.
The 98 wins posted by the LA Dodgers were the most in MLB this season, and enough to stake a five-game lead over the San Diego Padres in the NL West. Regarded as one of the best teams in modern history, LA is the odds-on favorite to win the World Series.
Players to Watch
Starting Pitchers
NYM: Sean Manaea (12-6, 3.47 ERA) vs LAD: TDB
Manaea had a 1.084 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 184 K in 181.2 IP.
Last Start: Win, 5 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 7 K vs LAD
Career vs LAD: 1-5 7.09 ERA (47 IP, 37 ER) 9 HR in 11 games
The Dodgers will likely employ a bullpen game, meaning that the starter could be Ryan Brasier, Michael Kopech, Anthony Banda, Blake Treinen, or Daniel Hudson.
Must-Watch Hitters
New York
In Game 2, Mark Vientos became the youngest player to hit a grand slam in a championship series. Since then, the 24-year-old has not looked back. Now a .333 hitter in the postseason, Vientos' .608 slugging percentage is also the highest on the club.
Pete Alonso's three-run shot to open Game 4 was the Polar Bear's first RBI of the series. In the 2024 postseason, Alonso owns a team-best .990 OPS, which closely resembles his career playoff totals. In 15 playoff games, Alonso now has 5 homers and 10 RBIs.
"This was so necessary for the Mets. Pete Alonso, three-run shot in the first. New York leads, 3-0." - Jeff Passan
Although he has not competed in as many games as his teammates, Jesse Winker has been clutch when called upon. A mid-season addition from the Washington Nationals, Winker's RBI triple in Game 4 was his fourth RBI of the postseason, and he touts a .316 average.
Los Angeles
The 13 hits logged by shortstop Tommy Edman are the most on LA's postseason lineup. A red-hot hitter, Game 5 was the first game of the series for Edman without an RBI. In his career against Sean Manaea, Edman is 1-for-1 with a home run.
"Tommy Edman has a 2-double, 3-RBI night! #NLCS" - MLB
After a shaky NLDS against the San Diego Padres, Shohei Ohtani has found his stride. Now with a pair of homers and eight walks, Ohtani boasts a 1.205 OPS in the NLCS against the Mets.
Mets vs Dodgers baseball betting odds
Mets vs Dodgers expert picks and game prediction
Anyone who has watched this scintillating NLCS knows how offensively-driven it has been. In fact, this NLCS is the first such series in history wherein a team has had at least a six-run lead in five straight games. Needless to say, the offense has been at no premium.
After Jack Flaherty's rather poor outing on Friday, LA manager Dave Roberts will turn to his bullpen to attempt to win Game 6. At the same time, Sean Manaea will take the mound for the Mets.
Although his career numbers against LA are not glowing, Manaea stood tall in his last start against the Dodgers in Game 2, striking out seven and allowing two earned runs in five innings. On Sunday, a similar outing will be expected. It will be close, but the Mets are hungry, expect manager Carlos Mendoza's club to do whatever they can to force a fateful seventh game.
Run Line: -1.5 +150
Total Runs: O 8.5 -125
Prediction: New York W, 10-9
