The Mets are loaded in the starting rotation as well but are much shorter on experience, with Jacob deGrom set to make his postseason debut opposite Kershaw before Noah Syndergaard and Matt Harvey take their first turns in the playoffs.
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The Mets have two tough games ahead of them, but it seems that the players are confident their past experiences will help them prevail against the Dodgers’ dominate duo.
Matt Harvey’s first foray into playoff baseball is off to an inauspicious start. If healthy and sharp enough, he could start Game 4 in the best-of-five Division Series against the Dodgers.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw looks on during… Tuesday’s workout was mandatory, according to Alderson.
Key late-game matchup: Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen vs. Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes – Jansen began the year on the disabled list but was his normal unhittable self when he returned. As for Game 3, it’ll be left hander Brett Anderson.
After a winning the National League West, for the third straight time, its October, survive and advance season.
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke warms up during… Kershaw allowed them eight hits and one run in 16 innings with 18 strikeouts, while Greinke gave up two runs in 14 innings with seven strikeouts. The underdog Dodgers stunned the Mets in a seven-game NLCS in 1988 on the way to their most recent World Series championship.
Don Mattingly could not have a made a wrong decision, even if in the eyes of a few Los Angeles Dodgers fans he can never make the right one.
“We have got to find a way to scratch and claw out runs”, Mets hitting coach Kevin Long said. “That’s what the game’s about, to face the best“, Collins said Wednesday.
Mauer won three A.L. batting titles as a catcher, but injuries have contributed to his struggles the last two seasons.
Greinke, the 2009 AL Cy Young victor, was 19-3 with a 1.66 ERA this year – lowest in the majors since Hall of Famer Greg Maddux posted a 1.63 mark for Atlanta in 1995.
“I’m astounded after all that’s gone down that this happened”. “The [Justin] Verlanders, [Anibal] Sanchezes, [Max] Scherzers, I remember facing a very good, talented pitcher every time”. According to ESPN, Harvey said “I apologized to everybody and told them it’s not going to happen again“.
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Cuddyer, a respected veteran in his first season with the Mets, is slated to start the Division Series opener in left field Friday night against Kershaw because he bats from the right side. He wasn’t among the 17 position players who hit on the field or took part in defensive drills Wednesday. “I know we had the mandatory workout and the last thing I ever want to do is not be here with my team”. But they’re pitchers, just like anyone else. He’s going to continue to pitch. The former MVP has not always been that sharp in the postseason, however, and is 0-4 with a 7.15 ERA in his last four playoff starts – all against the St. Louis Cardinals.
