Mets return home for crucial Game 3 of NLCS against LA

The NLCS now shifts to New York and Citi Field with the series evenly poised at 1-1. Plus, J.D. Martinez and Jeff McNeil could have big roles to play this week...

Andrew Steele

Oct 16, 2024

What’s Up with the Mets? 🚩

The Mets are back in New York with Game 3 of the NLCS set for 8:08 PM ET at Citi Field tonight
With Tuesday an off day, the Mets held a workout day at Citi Field yesterday in order to prepare for Game 3
There is a “good chance” J.D. Martinez will make his NLCS debut in Game 3 as the DH
RHP Kodai Senga is healthy but it hasn’t been decided if he will start Game 5 on Friday. If Senga doesn’t go, LHP David Peterson could get the call
The Mets did announce that LHP José Quintana will be on the mound for Game 4 on Thursday
New York will wear their black uniforms in Game 3, with RHP Luis Severino allowed to pick as the starting pitcher
The Mets revealed the full lineup of ceremonial first pitches for the NLCS. Darryl Strawberry will throw to Doc Gooden in Game 3. Robin Ventura will throw out the first pitch to Edgardo Alfonzo for Game 4, and Matt Harvey will throw to Yoenis Céspedes for Game 5
Rawlings announced their 2024 Gold Glove finalists, but SS Francisco Lindor was snubbed from the list. However, RHP Luis Severino was named as a finalist for the NL Gold Glove for pitchers with the Phillies’ Zack Wheeler and Chris Sale of the Braves
Former Mets Captain David Wright extolled the virtues of both Francisco Lindor and Mark Vientos on the latest episode of Jay Horwitz’s podcast (Amazin’ Conversations)

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Injury Updates 🏥

OF Brandon Nimmo (plantar fasciitis) wasn’t feeling any better or worse after Game 2. He will continue to grind it out and play for as long as he’s able to

Did you know? ⁉️

NLCS Game 1 between the Mets and the Dodgers was the most streamed NLCS Game 1 in FOX Sports history
In total, 8,484,000 viewers tuned in for Game 1 across FOX Sports’ various streaming platforms
NLCS Game 1 was also the most watched LCS Game 1 on any network since 2009 (Angels - Yankees ALCS Game 1)
In all, the 2024 MLB postseason on FOX & FS1 is averaging 4,486,000 viewers - the network’s best MLB postseason figures to-date since the launch of postseason baseball on FS1 in 2014

GAME THREE

Match-up: Mets (1-1) vs. Dodgers (1-1)

Where: Citi Field - Flushing, NY

Starters: RHP Luis Severino (1-0, 4.50 ERA) vs. RHP Walker Buehler (0-1, 10.80 ERA)

When: 8:08 PM EDT

Where to Watch: FS1

As NLCS shifts to New York, returning players could be key for the Mets… ✍️

The NLCS is now back in New York with Game 3 between the Mets and the Dodgers set for tonight.

Thanks to their win in Game 2, the Mets returned home with the split and they now have a chance to grab command of the series over the next few days.

In order to do so, this team will need to continue to win the pitching duel, in addition to shutting down the likes of Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. For instance, as good as Ohtani has been with runners in scoring position (16-for-19, dating back to the regular season), he’s 0-for-19 with 10 strikeouts when the bases are empty. Although, you figure at some point that Ohtani and Betts in particular will break out and have a huge say in this series.

However, heading into Game 3, the focus for the Mets should be on getting contributions from everybody in the lineup. And a couple of returning players may hold the key to that.

J.D. Martinez looks set to make his NLCS debut in Game 3 as the designated hitter. The veteran, who knows a thing or two about delivering in the postseason, ended the regular season in a brutal slump and hit just .109 over his final 16 games. But, on the flipside, he has recorded four hits and three RBIs in 14 at-bats this postseason.

Plus, as I already touched on, Martinez has built an entire career on delivering the big hit in the biggest moments. He’s a postseason veteran having won the World Series with the Red Sox in 2018, as well as having 39 playoff games under his belt and a ton of big series. He will know how to handle the pressure of the moment at this stage of the playoffs.

Having had somewhat of a mental reset, Martinez should be fresh physically and mentally and his big bat will be needed in Game 3 in order to set the tone. At some point, you would think, anyway, the Dodgers are going to get big-time contributions from their slew of offensive stars. If and when that happens, the Mets will need to counter by getting timely hits from their entire lineup. A rested Martinez could help lead the charge in that regard in Game 3.

Jeff McNeil is someone else who could have an impact in this series the rest of the way. Having recovered from a fractured wrist, McNeil is back on the roster and you’d figure we should see him at some point over the next few days. You could make a compelling argument that he should be in the lineup for Game 3 given Jose Iglesias’ recent struggles. Iglesias has struck out 13 times in his last 69 plate appearances, recording just one extra-base hit and slashing just .226/.273/.222. Plus, he also committed an error in Game 2 that loaded the bases in the sixth inning.

Giving Iglesias a day off may not be the worst idea in the world given that the veteran is clearly pressing and trying to force things at the plate. His recent at-bats have not been competitive, and a day out of the lineup could be just what is needed. Granted, there is no guarantee that McNeil will give you better at-bats given he’s just coming off a pretty serious injury. However, it is important to remember that the two-time All-Star was on a tear before going down hurt. Over a span of 37 games from July 23 to Sept 6, McNeil was hitting .285/.382/.491/.874 with four home runs, 12 doubles 14 RBIs and 19 runs scored.

And, when you consider that Walker Buehler, who will start Game 3 for LA, has an .890 OPS against lefties this year, putting McNeil in the lineup for Game 3 could be the smart move.

At this point, what do they have to lose?

Regardless, there is no doubt that players like Martinez and McNeil will need to do their part at the plate at some point this series if the Mets want to advance to the World Series. The top of that LA lineup isn’t going to stay quiet forever. Plus, with Brandon Nimmo clearly struggling with plantar fasciitis, the Mets are going to need the likes of Martinez and McNeil to step up to ensure that the offensive load isn’t falling all on Francisco Lindor and Mark Vientos.

The Championship Chase 🏆

Aaron Judge hit his first home run of the postseason to help the Yankees beat the Guardians 6-3 in Game 2 and go up 2-0 in the ALCS on Tuesday night

Around The League 🚩

The Phillies announced that they had extended manager Rob Thompson’s contract through 2026, while the entire coaching staff will return for next season as well
Tropicana Field, which sustained heavy damage during Hurricane Milton, will not be ready for Opening Day. The Rays have yet to determine where they will play in 2025 (Tampa Bay Times)