For the second time in three games, the Dodgers pitched a shutout in the NLCS, this time an 8-0 blanking of the Mets Wednesday night at Citi Field. L.A. jumps out to a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Walker Buehler, a one-time ace who had been beset by injuries, was terrific in four innings, with a breaking ball that the Mets couldn’t touch. And the vaunted Dodgers pen allowed just one hit over the final five frames.
And the less said about the results of the Mets in this game, the better.
The Dodgers are an excellent team and there’s no shame in losing to them. It just feels exasperating to be shut out twice in three games. The first one – okay, a poor showing after the multiple days off. But this one – at home, no less – was just demoralizing.
The Mets have to try something different for Game 4. Let’s see what Carlos Mendoza does. He can’t roll out the same lineup and the offense can’t take the same approach in this game. And perhaps the defense can have a better game, too.
Yes, this game was depressing on multiple levels. However, the 2024 Mets have earned the right for the fan base to hang in there. It’s kinda bleak, and Quintana vs Dodgers is a tough assignment no matter how well he has performed of late, but it is only 2-1 right now, even though it feels more like 3-0.
It’s a bit confounding because Mendoza was great all year recognizing when a lineup change or shuffle was necessary and it usually worked out well. But he’s indicated he’s going to stick with this lineup against Yamamoto because of his reverse splits, so no McNeil, no Winker. Not sure why McNeil is on the team if he’s not going to hit against RHP. And I would move Alvarez in the order if you’re not going to sit him. Put him 7th or 8th so he can stop coming up with the bases loaded.
Hes not changing the lineup and has already said so, so expect more of the same putrid ABs from Alvarez, Iglesias, and JD Mart.