The New York Mets finally know who they will face in the National League Championship Series beginning tomorrow night. After a 2-0 win last night in Game 5 by the Los Angeles Dodgers over the San Diego Padres, the NLCS is set. Los Angeles put together a tremendous pitching performance as their quest for an eighth World Series marches on.
These ballclubs last faced off in the MLB Playoff during the 2015 NLDS which the New York Mets won in five games. New York is hoping for a repeat of that performance nine years later. In six games against one another this season, the Los Angeles Dodgers held a 4-2 edge. New York took two of three on the road in April but were swept at home at the end of May. In what the New York Mets hope is not a sign of things to come, they were shutout in two of their six games against the Los Angeles Dodgers this year. Which team will win the NLCS and advance to the 2024 World Series?
How the New York Mets and Dodgers Got Here
The New York Mets have been the hottest team in baseball over the last four months. Their strong play has not dissipated in the first two rounds of the 2024 MLB Playoffs. New York needed to win a do-or-die Game 3 on the road against the Milwaukee Brewers and dispatched the Philadelphia Phillies in five games in the NLDS. Even though New York is 5-2 this postseason, their road has been far from smooth. They have needed to come back in multiple games and have relied on timely hitting to find themselves in this position.
The latest example of clutch hitting by the New York Mets was Shortstop Francisco Lindor hitting a grand slam in the bottom of the sixth inning of Game 4 of the NLDS to help propel NY to their first NLCS since 2015. LA also had to fight their way to get to this position. After having the best record in the regular season, 98-64, the Dodgers drew a tough NLDS opponent. The San Diego Padres. These two teams do not get along and that was illustrated during a Game 2 fiasco. Los Angeles found themselves down 2-1 in the NLDS but showed championship pedigree by outscoring San Diego 10-0 over the series’ final two games.
Looking Ahead To Game 1
The New York Mets will send Kodai Senga to the bump in Game 1. He will be opposed by Jack Flaherty. Senga started Game 1 of the ALDS and surrendered one earned run over two innings of work. That was his first action since July 26. He has had an injury-plagued 2024 season. Senga’s pitch count for tomorrow’s game is unknown, but he will look to give the New York Mets a solid start.
Flaherty was dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the 2024 MLB Trade Deadline. He did not fare well against the Padres in the NLDS. He surrendered four earned runs over 5.1 innings of work. Flaherty will look for a better start on Sunday night. While the New York Mets have been the hottest team in the league for months, the Dodgers are sizable favorites. New York will look to beat the odds once more.
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