Los Angeles’ star pitcher is being sent out with the Dodgers knowing that nothing less than a win will do for them tonight.
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After losing five out of their last six games, the Mets lost out on their chances for NLDS home-field advantage.
Monday is a scheduled off-day between the second and third games of the of the best-of-seven National League Championship Series, should the Dodgers overcome a 2-1 deficit against the Mets in their Division Series and advance to the next round.
However, despite a daunting encore against deGrom, the Dodgers like their odds in Thursday’s winner-take-all Game 5.
The last time the Mets were in the playoffs, in 2006, current Yankees’ outfielder Carlos Beltran played for the Mets, and struck out looking against the St. Louis Cardinals to end that season’s NLCS. This is likely to be a low-scoring affair, and possibly a lengthy outing from one or both starters is in the cards. deGrom already went seven frames with 13 strikeouts in Game 1, and while Greinke gave up two dingers in Game 2, they were also the only runs the Mets scored in an otherwise stellar, seven-inning affair. “With him I’d want to look for a specific pitch early in the count, and if you get it, don’t miss it”.
With Greinke and deGrom squaring off again, Kershaw says the series is “dead-even”.
“In my experience, usually you have one good game and one bad game”.
With wild red hair and a bushy beard, Turner has been a thorn in the Mets’ side this series, going 7 for 15 with four doubles and three RBIs. He’s just very impressive, just very tough to square up.
Mets: Making his postseason debut, deGrom beat Kershaw 3-1 in the series opener at Dodger Stadium.
Greinke won Game 2 on Saturday night, when he allowed two runs over seven innings in Los Angeles’ 5-2 victory.
This time though Kershaw proved whey he is the best pitcher on the planet as he was able to weather the storm and get three quick outs.
“I think getting 19 out of 20 possible games is about as good as it gets, and we’re excited for all of the Game fives”, Manfred said.
“We’re really confident. We’re going home for Game 5 with Zack Greinke on the mound”, utility man Kiké Hernandez said. The Los Angeles ace struck out eight, and the only run he allowed came on a homer by Daniel Murphy, who took Kershaw deep for the second time in this series after homering just once off a lefty during the regular season.
Among a staff of young, power arms, deGrom had the best season, and the team turned to him to start Game 1, and Game 5 if necessary.
Utley was suspended two games by Major League Baseball Chief Baseball Officer Joe Torre for his rough slide in Game 2 that broke the right leg of Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada.
With that, the NLDS goes to a Game 5 on Thursday, becoming the third Division Series this postseason to go to decisive finale.
Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis extended his postseason hitting streak to 12 games, setting a franchise record. That both teams are capable of such a feat is what makes this Game 5 so tantalizing.
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Mets Manager Terry Collins said Wednesday back at Dodger Stadium that starters Noah Syndergaard and Matt Harvey would be available in the New York bullpen.
