Game Chat: Mets vs. Dodgers, 8:08 P.M.

Sunday, October 20, 2024 • 8:08 PM
Dodger Stadium • Los Angeles, CA
LHP Sean Manaea (0-0, -.–) vs. RHP Michael Kopech (6-8, 3.46)
FS1

The New York Mets will try to force a Game 7 tonight as they play their second elimination game in a row against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Mets’ offense jumped out early against the Dodgers on Friday afternoon thanks to a three-run home run from Pete Alonso. Even though the Mets led by large margins throughout the game, the Dodgers kept pushing back, seemingly always one big swing away from being right back in the game.

This has been a series defined by momentum. Can the Mets jump out early tonight and put the pressure on the Dodgers?

Mets Lineup

1. Francisco Lindor, SS
2. Brandon Nimmo, LF
3. Mark Vientos, 3B
4. Pete Alonso, 1B
5. Jesse Winker, DH
6. Starling Marte, RF
7. Tyrone Taylor, CF
8. Jeff McNeil, 2B
9. Francisco Alvarez, C

Sean Manaea gets the start for the Mets in this critical Game 7. Over 32 starts in the regular season, he has pitched 181 2/3 innings with a 3.47 ERA, 3.83 FIP, 1.084 WHIP, and a 114 ERA+. In three postseason starts, he has allowed six runs (five earned) over 17 innings (2.65 ERA, 4.11 FIP). This includes a start against the Dodgers in Game 2 of this series where he allowed three runs (two earned) over five innings including a homer while striking out seven.

The Dodgers have the following career numbers against Manaea:

• Austin Barnes 2-7, BB, K
• Mookie Betts 10-34, 2 2B 2 3B, 3 HR, 3 BB, 4 K
• Tommy Edman 2-3, HR
• Freddie Freeman 5-20, HR, BB, 4 K
• Enrique Kiké Hernández 1-12, BB, 2 K
• Teoscar Hernández 3-16, HR, 2 BB, 4 K
• Kevin Kiermaier 1-7, 4 K
• Max Muncy 2-8, 2 HR, BB, 2 K
• Shohei Ohtani 2-10, 2 BB, 4 K
• Andy Pages 1-4, 2B, 3 K
• Will Smith 9-20, 2B, BB, 2 K
• Chris Taylor 4-17, 2B, HR, 3 BB, 7 K

Dodgers Lineup

1. Shohei Ohtani, DH
2. Mookie Betts, RF
3. Teoscar Hernández, RF
4. Tommy Edman, SS
5. Max Muncy, 3B
6. Kike Hernández, 3B
7. Andy Pages, CF
8. Will Smith, C
9. Chris Taylor, 2B

The Dodgers are rolling with a bullpen game for the second time in this series, and they are starting with a high-leverage reliever. Michael Kopech was a major tradeline acquisition for the Dodgers from the Chicago White Sox.

Overall, this season, he pitched 67 2/3 innings with a 3.46 ERA, 4.02 FIP, 1.153 WHIP, and a 117 ERA+. He was significantly better has a Dodger, putting up a 1.13 ERA, 2.54 FIP, 0.792 WHIP and a 348 ERA+ over 24 innings. He’s pitched 4 1/3 innings over five games this postseason, allowing a hit, two walks, and nothing else while striking out six.

The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Pete Alonso 0-3
• Francisco Alvarez 0-2, K
• Jose Iglesias 0-1
• Francisco Lindor 0-2, 2 BB, K
• Starling Marte 0-2
• J.D. Martinez 0-3
• Jeff McNeil 0-1, BB
• Brandon Nimmo 0-3, BB, 2 K
• Tyrone Taylor 0-1
• Mark Vientos 0-1
• Jesse Winker 0-2, 3 BB

Game Notes

Freddie Freeman was held out of the lineup against the left-handed Manaea as he continues to deal with an ankle sprain.

According to manager Carlos Mendoza, he will not be holding back either Ryne Stanek or Edwin Díaz with a potential Game 7 on Monday in mind. Additionally, he confirmed that Kodai Senga, “is going to have to play a role,” the next two days.

When asked about Luis Severino, manager Carlos Mendoza said that he’s in line to start Game 7 but may factor into Game 6, “If he’s good enough to give us something if we need (it), then I have a decision to make.”

Three Things To Watch For

1. The Mets’ big bats. Today is about tone setting. On Friday, the Mets were joking before the game, confident and they played that way. Francisco Lindor went 2-for-4 at the plate with a walk, a triple, and two runs scored. Alonso went 2-for-3 at the plate with a walk, four runs scored, and a massive three-run home run. When the best hitters do well, the team does well.
2. The rest of the Mets lineup. The Mets success on Friday wasn’t just from their top hitters, they had a lot of support down the lineup. Starling Marte was just fantastic going 4-for-5 on the day with three RBIs and three doubles. In 50 plate appearances for the Mets this postseason, he is slashing .310/.380/.405. Jesse Winker is coming off of a 2-for-3 day with three runs scored. Francisco Alvarez started hitting again and is coming off of a 3-for-4 day. The Mets had the momentum on Friday, and got to hold onto that on the long flight to L.A.
3. Limiting walks. The weakness for the Mets this series has been walks. They walked five Dodgers on Friday which is the least amount of any game this series. In the first four games of the series the Mets walked a combined 31 Dodgers. This cannot continue.

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