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How to watch the Dodgers and Mets in the NLCS showdown between New York and LA – NBC Los Angeles

How to watch the Dodgers and Mets in the NLCS showdown between New York and LA – NBC Los Angeles

The stage is set for an exciting National League Championship Series as the Los Angeles Dodgers take on the New York Mets. It’s a clash of powerhouses, with each team boasting its own star-studded lineup and pitcher. The Dodgers, the team with the best record in all of baseball, will have home field advantage, but the Mets have been red-hot since June and bring plenty of momentum into this best-of-seven series.

How they got here

Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers are no strangers to this phase. They were a heavyweight all season long, with a roster led by Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Teoscar Hernández.

After defeating the San Diego Padres in a thrilling NLDS, the Dodgers leaned heavily on their bullpen, delivering 24 consecutive scoreless innings to secure their spot in the NLCS. Their lineup is a force to be reckoned with, but it’s their ability to overcome adversity that makes them particularly dangerous early in this series.

New York Mets: Don’t let the No. 6 seed fool you – the Mets have been the hottest team in baseball for months.

Their pitching was nearly flawless, with Sean Manaea, Luis Severino and José Quintana shutting down opposing lineups.

In the NLDS, the Mets defeated the Phillies with timely hitting and a dominant rotation. Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor have led the charge offensively, and now they must continue that push against the formidable Dodgers.

Key Matchup: Mets Pitching vs. Shohei Ohtani

This series focuses on the chess game between the Mets pitching staff and Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani, the two-way phenom, has the ability to turn a game on its head with one shot.

The Mets’ pitching, led by Manaea and Quintana, has been outstanding, but Ohtani presents a unique challenge. His performance will be crucial to the outcome of this series.

The Mets need to find a way to neutralize Ohtani, like the Padres did briefly in the NLDS after his Game 1 heroics. If New York can keep Ohtani in check, their chances of making it to the World Series will increase significantly.

Top players to keep an eye on

Los Angeles Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani: Ohtani’s power on both sides of the ball makes him the Dodgers’ most valuable weapon. Whether with his bat or on the mound, Ohtani has the ability to change the trajectory of a game. New York will be fully focused on limiting its production, but that’s easier said than done.

Mookie Betts: Betts, the Dodgers’ spark plug, has returned to form at just the right time. His ability to set the tone at the top of the lineup and make game-changing plays in the outfield gives the Dodgers a significant advantage. Betts is known for rising to the occasion in big moments, and this series should be no different.

Teoscar Hernández: Hernández was one of the Dodgers’ strongest players this postseason, scoring crucial hits when it mattered most. His power, combined with his ability to power through in high-pressure situations, make him a threat every time he hits, especially against the Mets’ two left-handed starters.

New York Mets

Pete Alonso: Alonso, the Mets’ hard-hitting first baseman, has been a strong presence all season. His ability to drive in runs and change the game with one hit will be crucial against the Dodgers’ deep pitching staff. If Alonso gets hot, the Mets offense will be difficult to stop.

Francisco Lindor: The Mets captain led by example both offensively and defensively. Lindor’s range at shortstop and his clutch hitting were instrumental to New York’s postseason success. His leadership will be crucial to withstanding the pressure of the NLCS.

Sean Manaea: The unsung hero of the Mets’ postseason run, Manaea was out of his mind on the mound. He shut out the Phillies in the NLDS, and New York will need him to put together another big performance against the Dodgers’ dangerous lineup.

Schedule:

games Date Start time TV
Game 1 Sun, Oct 13th 8:15 p.m. ET FOX, Fubo (Try for free)
Game 2 Mon., Oct. 14 4:08 p.m. ET FOX, FS1, Fubo (try for free)
Game 3 Wed., Oct. 16 8:08 p.m. ET FS1, Fubo (Try for free)
Game 4 Thu., Oct. 17 8:08 p.m. ET FS1, Fubo (Try for free)
Game 5 (if necessary) Fri, Oct 18 5:08 p.m. ET FS1, Fubo (Try for free)
Game 6 (if necessary) Sun, Oct 20th 8:08 p.m. ET FS1, Fubo (Try for free)
Game 7 (if necessary) Mon., Oct. 21 8:08 p.m. ET FOX, FS1, Fubo (try for free)