Mets 7 Dodgers 3 (Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA)
Series status: Mets and Dodgers tied 1-1 in best of seven NLCS
WP - Sean Manaea (2-0)
LP - Ryan Brasier (1-1)
S- Edwin Diaz (2)
Seat on the Korner: Mark Vientos
We select the star of the game and virtually invite him to a Seat on the Korner, just as Ralph Kiner used to do for his studio postgame show on WOR-channel 9 broadcasts in the early decades of the Mets.
Today's Seat on the Korner goes to 24-year-old Mark Vientos, who continues to perform like a seasoned veteran in this magical postseason run. Vientos delivered yet another unforgettable moment in the second inning of today’s game, making Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts regret his decision to intentionally walk Francisco Lindor to face him. With two outs and the bases loaded, Vientos crushed a grand slam to center field—his third home run of the postseason—blowing the game open and giving the Mets a commanding 6-0 lead. His offensive dominance has been nothing short of remarkable, raising his postseason average to .378 with 11 RBIs. Vientos wasn't done there; later in the game, he added a key single and started the critical 6th inning double play that helped preserve the Mets’ lead. At just 24, Vientos is showing the poise and power of a player far beyond his years, and his contributions continue to be pivotal in the Mets’ postseason success.
Need to Know
Since 1969, when the League Championship Series was introduced to Major League Base- ball, the Dodgers have appeared in the LCS 16 times, which is the most in National League history and second all- time, just behind the New York Yankees (19). The Dodgers are appearing in the NLCS for the seventh time in the last 12 seasons (2013, 2016-18, 2020-21, 2024).
The Dodgers and Mets are meeting for the fourth time in the Postseason, with the Mets holding a 2-1 advantage by virtue of their series victories in the 2006 and 2015 NLDS. However, the Dodgers bested New York the only time the clubs met in LCS play, winning four games to three in the 1988 NLCS en route to their sixth World Series championship.
Dave Roberts is now a perfect 9-for-9 in postseason appearances, winning eight division titles and earning one wild card berth. He is the first National League manager in history to lead his team to the playoffs in his first nine seasons and is the first to accomplish the feat since Joe Torre led the Yankees to the playoffs in his first 12 seasons at the helm. Under Roberts, the Dodgers have posted a Major League best 851-507 (.627) re- cord since 2016 and is the winningest Manager in Major League Baseball history with 1,000+ games managed
Since the LCS moved to its current seven-game format in 1985,the winner of the second game of the NLCS has advanced to the Fall Classic 23 times (59.0%). The winner of Game 1 has won Game 2 of the NLCS in two of the last three seasons (2023 PHI and 2021 ATL). Since 1985, 14 clubs have advanced to the World Series after winning Games 1 and 2 of the NLCS, including the 2021 Braves; the 2019 Nationals (swept NLCS); the 2017 Dodgers; the 2015 Mets (swept NLCS); the 2013 Cardinals; the 2008 Phillies; the 2007 Rockies (swept NLCS); the 2004 Cardinals; the 2002 Giants; the 2000 Mets; the 1999 Braves; the 1998 Padres; the 1995 Braves (swept NLCS); and the 1992 Braves. Of the group, the 2021 Braves, 2019 Nationals, 2008 Phillies and 1995 Braves went on to win the World Series.
The Dodgers are now 29-28 all-time in Game 2 of a Postseason Series, including 15-16 in Game 2 of a best-of-seven series overall, and 10-6 in Game 2 of the NLCS.
The Mets are 11-10 all-time in Game 2 of a Postseason Series, including 6-6 in Game 2 of a best-of-seven series overall, and 6-3 in Game 2 of the NLCS.
New York is 1-2 in Game 2 of a series this Postseason, losing to the Milwaukee Brewers (5-3) in the NL Wild Card Series; and the Philadelphia Phillies (7-6) in the NL Division Series. The Mets have won Game 2 of the NLCS in three of their last four appearances (2015 and 2000)
The Dodgers (10) and Mets (10) have the second and third-most home runs this Postseason, trailing only the Padres (11). Seven different Dodgers players have hit a home run including Mookie Betts (2 HR); Teoscar Hernández (2); Kiké Hernández; Gavin Lux; Max Muncy; Shohei Ohtani; and Will Smith. Five different Mets players have homered in the Postseason including Pete Alonso (3); Mark Vientos (3); Francisco Lindor(1); Brandon Nimmo; and Jesse Winker.
When the 2023 World Champion Texas Rangers failed to qualify for the Postseason, it guaranteed that MLB would not have a repeat World Series Champion for the 24th consecutive season, extending the longest such streak in Major League history. The streak is the longest of its kind in the history of the four major sports (MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL). Additionally, with the Diamondbacks missing the Postseason, it is the first time that both of the previous World Series teams missed the Postseason since 2007 when the Cardinals and Tigers (2006 WS) both failed to qualify.
Sean Manaea continues to build on his stellar postseason performance, delivering another solid outing in today’s game. While some questionable defense behind him shortened his appearance, Manaea still did more than enough to secure his second win of the postseason. Over 5 innings, he allowed just 2 hits and 3 runs—only 2 of which were earned—while walking 4 and striking out 7. His ability to navigate through trouble and limit damage was key in keeping the Mets ahead. With today's effort, Manaea's postseason ERA now stands at an impressive 2.65. Though his start was cut shorter than expected, Manaea’s consistency and composure on the mound have been instrumental in the Mets’ postseason success, and he continues to rise to the occasion when it matters most.
Turning Point
The turning point in the game came in the bottom of the 6th inning. The inning took a sharp turn when the Mets narrowly escaped a potential disaster, thanks to a well-executed double play. After a walk to Max Muncy loaded the bases, Enrique Hernández grounded into a critical 5-4-3 double play, bailing the Mets out of a precarious situation. What made this double play the turning point were the defensive miscues that preceded it. A fielding error by second baseman Jose Iglesias on Freddie Freeman's fielder's choice, followed by a deflected single off Pete Alonso's glove, allowed two runs to score. The Dodgers were threatening to erase the Mets' lead, but Mark Vientos’ sharp throw to Iglesias, who quickly turned it over to Alonso at first, ended the inning and halted the Dodgers’ momentum. Two challenges by the Dodgers couldn’t reverse the calls, and the Mets held on to their 6-3 lead, shifting the game's momentum back in their favor.
Three Keys
Starting off on the Right Foot
The Dodgers opened up the 2024 National League Championship Series with a bang, recording their third consecutive Postseason shutout with a 9-0 win in Game 1. The lopsided margin was the largest shutout victory in Postseason for L.A., besting their 8-0 shutout of the Padres last week in Game 4 of the NLDS. Los Angeles had fired an NL record 33.0 consecutive scoreless innings, which ties the 1966 Baltimore Orioles (Games 1-4 of the World Series vs. the Dodgers) for the most in a single season in Postseason history. This afternoon, Dodger reliever Ryan Brasier got the starting nod in a “bullpen game” attempting to make history. That attempt failed with the first batter as Francisco Lindor lead off the game with an 8 pitch at bat which ended with the Mets MVP putting the Mets on the board for the first time in the series.
Passing the Maton to Stanek to Diaz
After Phil Maton induced the inning-ending double play in the bottom of the sixth, it was clear he had provided the Mets a much-needed escape from a dangerous situation. With the momentum swinging back in their favor, Manager Carlos Mendoza opted to send Maton back out to start the seventh inning. Maton quickly retired Andy Pages on a foul out to Pete Alonso at first base, but his command faltered when he faced Shohei Ohtani. Maton threw four consecutive pitches nowhere near the strike zone, issuing a walk and putting the dangerous Ohtani on base.
Sensing a shift, Mendoza wasted no time and called upon Ryne Stanek from the bullpen to face the top of the Dodgers' order. Stanek responded brilliantly, striking out Mookie Betts on just three pitches—an impressive display of power pitching against one of baseball’s most feared hitters. He then completed the inning by getting Teoscar Hernández to ground out sharply to third baseman Mark Vientos, who made a clean throw to Alonso at first to end the inning.
Stanek's efficiency in closing out the seventh and getting 2 outs in the eighth (aided by a nice catch by Brandon Nimmo plantar fasciitis and all) ,before a single and a walk ended his day handing the ball to Edwin Diaz to get the 4 out save who struck out the side to end the game.
No so Fearsome Foursome
In Game 1, the Dodgers' top of the order—Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Teoscar Hernández—proved to be a formidable force, going a combined 5-for-14 and driving much of the team's offense. However, Game 2 told a completely different story. Manager Dave Roberts made a strategic adjustment, flipping Hernández into the three-spot and sliding Freeman into the cleanup position. The move backfired, as the quartet struggled mightily, going a combined 0-for-15 at the plate. Including 0-3 against Edwin Diaz in the 9th.
Ohtani, Betts, Hernández, and Freeman, typically the backbone of the Dodgers' lineup, were held in check by the Mets’ pitching staff, with Ryne Stanek and Phil Maton playing pivotal roles in neutralizing their impact. Their collective silence in Game 2 highlighted the Mets' ability to make adjustments and execute their game plan, especially after the Dodgers had posed such a threat in the first game. The shift in offensive production from Game 1 to Game 2 became a key factor in the Mets’ ability to maintain control and secure the win.
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