Morning Briefing: Mets Set to Face Dodgers in NLCS Tonight
Good morning, Mets fans!
The Mets play their first NLCS game since 2015 today against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Mets-Dodgers isn’t going to disappoint. Francisco Lindor vs. Shohei Ohtani. The Mets’ starting pitching vs. the Dodgers’ elite bullpen. Winning a pennant won’t be easy for either team.
Game 1’s pitching matchups are set, and it’ll be Kodai Senga (1-0, 3.38 ERA in reg. season) for the Mets facing off against Jack Flaherty (13-7, 3.17 ERA) for the Dodgers . In Flaherty’s one postseason start this season, he was tagged for four runs, including two homers, against the Padres. Senga’s only pitched just above six innings over the entire calendar year, but he’ll once again be “going 100%” against the Dodgers.
The Mets-Dodgers series will once again air on Fox, but this time, Joe Davis and John Smoltz will be on the call. The opener is set for 8:15 p.m. ET.
New York’s slowly getting itts revenge on Los Angeles for the infamous 1988 Championship Series. An NLDS sweep in 2006. One more NLDS win in 2015. Another series win in 2024?
Photo Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
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In Jeff McNeil‘s last AFL game, the utility man went 1-for-5 with an RBI single, playing the full nine innings in right field. He’s now a lock to make the NLCS roster as he travels to California.
For the NLCS, the umpiring crew will consist of Jeremie Rehak, Marvin Hudson, Nic Lentz, Bill Miller (crew chief), David Rackley and Jordan Baker.
New York has nabbed scout Ken Guthrie from the Baltimore Orioles, according to Andy Kostka of the Baltimore Banner. Guthrie played a key role in signing some of Baltimore’s gems, including Jackson Holliday, Heston Kjerstad and Creed Williams.
Latest MLB News
Tarik Skubal is not Superman, everyone. After four innings against the Guardians’ strong pitching, Cleveland erupted for five runs, led by Lane Thomas. With one out and the bases loaded, Thomas crushed a 107.7 mph grand slam, giving the Guardians a 5-1 lead. Emmanuel Clase shut down the Tigers for the final two innings, sealing a 7-3 loss for Detroit in Game 5 of the ALDS. The Guardians will head to New York to face the Yankees, with the series opener on Sunday at 7:38 p.m. ET.
Gavin Stone of the Dodgers has undergone right shoulder surgery, and will likely be out for all of the 2025 season. Stone, a rookie, has put up some promising numbers, posting a 3.53 ERA in 140 1/3 innings pitched.
Left-handed reliever Alex Vesia will be left off the Dodgers’ NLCS roster, said manager Dave Roberts. Additionally, Tony Gonsolin and Brent Honeywell are “in the mix” to replace Vesia, but Brusdar Graterol and Joe Kelly are not, per The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya.
ESPN’s Alden González projected Los Angeles’s NLCS starting pitching by game. González, notably, picked Yamamoto in Game 4 rather than Game 3. That would force the Dodgers to pitch two potential bullpen games, in Games 3 and 6.
The Padres reportedly discussed a potential contract extension with rookie sensation Jackson Merrill before his MLB debut. Perhaps San Diego knew something we didn’t, as Merrill now looks poised to win Rookie of the Year with strong numbers to support him: A .292/.326/.500 slash line combined with excellent defense are not exactly shabby for a 21-year-old.
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On This Date in Mets History
1983: Mets general manager Frank Cashen appointed Davey Johnson to be their next manager. Johnson succeeded interim skipper Frank Howard, who had taken over after George Bamberger‘s brutal tenure with New York. Though perhaps Cashen failed in his hiring of Bamberger, he walked away with a major success in Johnson, who led the Mets to five straight 90-plus win seasons, including their famous 1986 World Series win.
2015: Daniel Murphy homered off Clayton Kershaw, setting a new record by hitting a home run in six consecutive postseason games.
Born On This Date: Taylor Buchholz (1981), Julio Valera (1968), John Strohmayer (1946).
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