The Los Angeles Dodgers’ strategy of utilizing a bullpen game backfired significantly against the New York Mets, who dominated early in the game to secure a 7-3 victory. As a result, the Mets left Los Angeles with renewed energy, evening the National League Championship Series at one game each. The next three games will take place at Citi Field in New York starting Tuesday.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza expressed excitement about returning home, highlighting the exceptional support from their fan base, particularly during the playoffs.
After a disappointing 9-0 loss in Game 1, the Mets quickly regrouped. The game commenced with a bang as Francisco Lindor, who has emerged as one of the top players in the league this season, launched a home run off Dodgers opener Ryan Brasier.
Lindor’s explosive start set the tone for the Mets, who soon extended their lead to 2-0 thanks to Tyrone Taylor’s run-scoring double. Although the Dodgers intentionally walked Lindor to face Mark Vientos, who had struggled in the previous game, he capitalized on the opportunity. Vientos hit a grand slam, pushing the Mets’ lead to 6-0 and marking his drive to elevate his postseason RBI total to 11, just shy of the franchise record.
Dodgers pitcher Sean Manaea remained composed and effective during his outing, with minimal scoring against him despite some defensive mishaps. The Dodgers attempted a comeback, reducing the deficit to 6-3 and mounting pressure in the eighth inning, but were unable to close the gap as Edwin Diaz struck out the side in the ninth.
Manaea, typically challenged by the Dodgers in past matchups with a career ERA over 15 against them, showcased his improvement this postseason, having delivered strong performances in earlier series as well.
For the upcoming games, the Dodgers plan to return to a traditional starting rotation, featuring Walker Buehler for Game 3, followed by Yoshinobu Yamamoto and a return to Jack Flaherty for Game 5, while aiming to leverage a rested bullpen.
As the teams prepare for the next matchups, the tension and excitement continue to rise in what promises to be an intense series.