When is Dodgers vs. Mets NLCS Game 3? Date, time and statements

LOS ANGELES – After the Dodgers’ convincing win in Game 1 of the best-of-seven National League championship series, it looked like the team with the best record in the sport was on the verge of embarking on a dominant run.

But as they have done all season, the Mets found a way to bounce right back, evening the series at one game apiece with a 7-3 win in Game 2 at Dodger Stadium.

“I want to go home,” said third baseman Mark Vientos, who hit the game-winning grand slam. “Playing in front of the New York fans is the best. I’m looking forward to coming back.

Through two games, the two historic NL powerhouses showed exactly why they are just three wins away from a World Series appearance. With the series moving to Citi Field, a best-of-five series will now determine who wins the NL pennant.

“It’s going to be a dogfight,” Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts said. “They’re a good baseball team, but so are we. It’s going to be a long series. We expect it to be a long, tough series.”

When does the game take place and how can I watch it?
Game 3 will be played on Wednesday at Citi Field. First pitch is scheduled for 8:08 p.m. ET/5:08 p.m. PT.

All games are available in the US on MLB.TV (requires authentication with a participating pay-TV provider). Live games are also available in select countries outside the US. Detailed information can be found here.

Who are the starting pitchers?
Dodgers: RHP Walker Buehler (1-6, 5.38 ERA in regular season)
The Dodgers had a chance to use Buehler in Game 2, but decided to save him for a road game because of his postseason experience. Although this wasn’t the season Buehler expected, the right-hander is happy to perform in October. Even after allowing six runs over five innings in Game 3 of the NLDS against the Padres, Buehler has a 3.40 ERA in 84 2/3 postseason innings.

Mets: RHP Luis Severino (11-7, 3.91 ERA)
The Mets sent Severino back to New York early before his Game 3 start. He will operate on nine days of rest, which was partly intentional. The right-hander has slowed down a bit down the stretch and in the playoffs, posting a 5.14 ERA in his last five starts and has already thrown 104 2/3 more innings than he did a year ago. But the Mets continue to have great confidence in Severino, who has been a workhorse for them all season. He hasn’t pitched against the Dodgers since June 2023, when they rocked him for seven runs over four innings.

What are the expected starting lineups?
Dodgers: With the Mets returning to a right-handed starter, the Dodgers will lean on their most-used lineup in Game 3. If Freddie Freeman or Gavin Lux, who are recovering from injuries, are unavailable, the Dodgers can rely on Chris Taylor or Andy Pages – but with Tuesday’s rest day, the Dodgers should be at full strength for Game 3.

Mets: Manager Carlos Mendoza has not yet included JD Martinez or Jeff McNeil in an NLCS starting lineup. That likely won’t change for Martinez in Game 3, considering Jesse Winker (4 for 15, two homers) has a solid track record against Buehler, while Martinez hasn’t hit in three at-bats against him. But that could change for McNeil if the Mets want to give 34-year-old Jose Iglesias a game to breathe.

How will the bullpens line up after the starter?
Dodgers: The Dodgers bullpen will be rested and ready to move on from Buehler. Given that all of their heavily indebted arms have yet to compete in this NLCS, manager Dave Roberts will be particularly aggressive if Buehler runs into trouble early.

Mets: The big question here is whether David Peterson will be available after throwing 40 pitches in Game 1. Mendoza has expressed a desire to use Peterson as early as Game 3, but this would likely rule him out for a possible Game 5 start in place of Kodai Senga. Still, Peterson remains one of the Mets’ most trusted late-game weapons against the Dodgers’ left-handers Ohtani and Freeman.

Any notable injuries?
Dodgers: Freeman remains a game-time decision after suffering a severe right ankle sprain. Freeman played in both games against the Mets and is expected to play in Game 3 as well. Lux also has a sore hip and did not play in Game 2 against left-hander Sean Manaea. The Dodgers and Lux ​​have said they expect him to be available.

Mets: Although McNeil hasn’t seen much live pitching since breaking his right wrist on Sept. 6, he has made 10 plate appearances in the Arizona Fall League. Mendoza said McNeil’s contact approach lends itself well to a successful return despite a recent lack of reps. In any case, McNeil is fully healthy and capable of contributing if the Mets call him.

Separately, Nimmo suffers from plantar fasciitis in his left foot. Although Nimmo aggravated the injury during the NL Division Series, it did not cost him much time and likely will not in the future. For Nimmo, this is a problem of pain tolerance.

Of the seven players on the Mets’ injured list – Paul Blackburn, Christian Scott, Dedniel Núñez, Sean Reid-Foley, Drew Smith, Brooks Raley and Ronny Mauricio – none of them will return this year.

Who’s hot and who’s not?
Dodgers: Muncy got off to a strong start in the NLCS, contributing a two-out, two-run single in the Game 1 win. He was also responsible for the Dodgers’ first run off Manaea, a solo home run. On the other hand, the Dodgers are still waiting for Smith to show consistent signs of life at the plate this postseason. After going 0-4 in Game 2, Smith is now 2-23 in seven postseason games.

Mets: No one still playing in the postseason is hotter than Vientos, who had six multi-hit appearances as well as three home runs and 11 RBIs in nine career playoff games. Earlier this month, Mendoza moved Vientos to the No. 2 spot in the lineup, where he will likely remain a fixture.

Nimmo, whether due to his foot or not, has cooled down significantly at the plate and hasn’t scored since NLDS Game 2. However, he did draw four walks in that stretch.

Is there anything else fans would like to know?
• This is the fourth postseason meeting between the Mets and Dodgers, dating back to an NLCS win for Los Angeles in 1988 that is still considered one of the greatest postseason series. The Mets got revenge in the 2006 NLDS by defeating the Dodgers and again in 2015 with a highly entertaining NLDS win.

• While the Mets led Major League Baseball with a 67-40 record from May 30 through the end of the season, the Dodgers weren’t far behind at 62-42. Both finished in the top five in the MLB during that time.

• With 11 RBIs already, Vientos is one step behind Curtis Granderson (2015) and John Olerud (1999) for the most RBIs in a single postseason in franchise history.