The Los Angeles Dodgers delivered yet another commanding performance on Thursday, overpowering the New York Mets 10-2 at Citi Field, thereby taking a formidable 3-1 lead in the National League Championship Series (NLCS). This victory not only puts the Dodgers on the brink of clinching their 25th pennant but also potentially paves the way for their first World Series appearance since 2020.
The atmosphere was electric at Citi Field, where the NY crowd, initially energized by the presence of former Mets players Edgardo Alfonzo and Robin Ventura throwing out the first pitch, quickly turned quiet after the Dodgers jumped to an early lead. The game began explosively for Los Angeles, with two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani hitting a leadoff home run off Mets starter Jose Quintana, marking the first homer this postseason allowed by Quintana since August 20. This set the tone early with the Dodgers seizing control right from the start.
Even though the Mets fought back, with third baseman Mark Vientos equalizing the game with his solo shot later on, the Dodgers responded swiftly. Both teams exchanged runs briefly, but it quickly became evident which side was taking command.
Tommy Edman, who has proven invaluable this postseason, put the Dodgers back on top with a clutch two-out RBI double. This effort was followed by Kiké Hernández's RBI single, which expanded the lead to 3-1. Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto exhibited why he’s touted as the rookie talent to watch, throwing 4.1 innings, accumulating eight strikeouts and allowing only two runs.
The Dodgers' offense continued to pile on the runs. Ohtani and Mookie Betts shined bright, demonstrating why they are among the league's elite; Betts, after doubling to extend the Dodgers’ lead, later floored the competition with his own two-run homer. Betts ended the night with a remarkable four RBIs, helping to cement the Dodgers' compelling win.
Max Muncy also had historical achievements; he tied Reggie Jackson’s record for reaching base safely for twelve consecutive postseason plate appearances, representing another strong showing from the Dodgers' lineup. Muncy expressed his surprise about the record, stating, "That’s pretty cool. The biggest thing for me is creating traffic out there for the opposing team and giving my teammates chances to score." His approach speaks volumes about the Dodgers' team-oriented mentality, especially under the challenging circumstances they faced without all-star players Freddie Freeman and Gavin Lux.
Following the thrashing at home, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza remarked, "You’ve got to give those guys credit. That’s a deep lineup. Whether our starters are feeling it or not, we haven’t executed and we haven’t got length from them." The Mets’ season hangs precariously as they struggle to find their footing, leaving the home crowd silent and frustrated.
The Dodgers, on the other hand, appear unstoppable. The decisive nature of their victory is reminiscent of Epic playoff runs past, where they have often asserted their dominance over the opposition. The consistent offensive production combined with solid pitching displays has many wondering whether Los Angeles can maintain this momentum as they head to Game 5.
Speaking of the looming Game 5, right-hander Jack Flaherty is expected to take the mound for the Dodgers, and Mets' fans will be hoping for David Peterson to bring the necessary energy to turn the series around. Time will tell if the Mets can regain composure and find creative solutions to overcome the formidable Dodgers' lineup.
The Dodgers have proven their mettle, deftly negotiating the postseason challenges dished out by the Mets and showing unwavering confidence and execution.
