Unless you have a crystal ball or special knowledge/belief in David Stearns' team, it looked like the Mets were headed for a transition year with the potential to play .500 baseball in 2024 . Then they started playing, and even that looked optimistic.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers spent more than $1 billion last winter on global superstar Shohei Ohtani and coveted young right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, adding to their crazy collection of remaining stars and are seen as an unstoppable force. Ta.
But they stood there in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on Wednesday night at Citi Field. And guess what? In at least some, if not most, ways, the Mets have the advantage. Here's why they should definitely be favored with more interesting series going on (and if you doubt that, check the ratings!):
1. The Dodgers' rotation is next to non-existent.
There's a reason Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called this year his “most challenging season,” and these are probably reasons one through five. The Dodgers have a bona fide All-Star starting team, most of whom remain sidelined (Tyler Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw, Gavin Stone, Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin, Emmett Sheehan, River Ryan). , and of course Ohtani, at least as a pitcher (for now), or depressed to the point of unusability (Bobby Miller).
That would leave the rotation with three players, but they also have questions. Jack Flaherty shut out a flat Mets team in Game 1, but has battled back problems for much of this year to the point where the Yankees refused to trade him. Flaherty was a professional and his location was accurate, but after a few days off and a cross-country flight, the Mets saw him off this past October. (Dodger officials actually wondered why he didn't leave a day early and train at Dodger Stadium.)
Yamamoto was one of the most dynamic and beloved free agents of all time, but he's now a five-inning pitcher whose patented split finger hasn't been in the best shape since shoulder troubles in midsummer. Mets officials have worked hard for him and still believe in his talent (and youth), but he doesn't look like a superstar from here — at least not yet. “$300 million isn't what it used to be,” snorted one veteran scout (it was actually $325 million plus $50.6 million in posting fees).
And then there's Game 3 starter Walker Buehler. He is a former October star, but he hasn't looked the same since his second Tommy John surgery. He seems to be starting out out of necessity rather than conviction. How many games can he pitch in the bullpen?
2. The Dodgers' shutdown bullpen is bound to become overworked at some point.
After the Mets took a six-point lead in Game 2, Roberts relieved the Dodgers' key trio of Evan Phillips, Michael Kopech and Blake Treinen. And maybe they have enough to survive the next series, where the relievers pitch the majority of the innings. But at some point, you wonder when you're going to burn out.
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With only three starting pitchers, unless they can get it together in five games, they will have to pitch one more game in the bullpen. That's the only good news for the Mets.
3. Ohtani hasn't been himself since Game 1 of the Division Series.
The great Ohtani was on display in LA's Game 1 win over the Padres, but he didn't really shine in Game 3. What's strange is that he was 0-for-19 with zero hits and no runners on base, yet he was 6-for-19. -8 with a runner. In fact, it would be better if he wasn't the leadoff man, but those aren't the kind of stats you'd expect from the league's certain MVP anyway.
He didn't seem to worry too much on the day of practice, saying, “Even if I'm feeling good and don't get results, I'm not too worried because I'm lucky.''
Well, the Mets are a little lucky so far. That's because he was absent from Game 2 of the Division Series.
4. Freddie Freeman's legendary toughness is put to the test.
Dodgers officials say it's a miracle he's still able to play (almost) with a serious ankle injury, even though he limped home from the parking lot. Honestly, it's painful just watching him play these days.
5. Mark Vientos is making October his own.
Some people like being in the spotlight, but Vientos, who was demoted twice this year to Triple-A Syracuse, seems to be one of those players who plays better under bright lights.
Vientos called what was happening to him a week ago “surreal,” but it was a big thing a few days ago. He led MLB in hits and RBIs entering the postseason Wednesday, and feels like the biggest threat in a Mets lineup that includes three players making $20 million a year.
6. The Mets will play their next three games at Citi Field.
Home field isn't that important in baseball, but it's a stark contrast to Los Angeles, where it's cold and perfect day in and day out. The crowd went wild Wednesday for the Mets' first NLCS game in nine years. Fans know they've accomplished enough with this, and perhaps even more.
