The Dodgers were unable to gain an advantage heading into Citi Field, and while a loss is a loss, there were some positives, or bright spots if you will, from the home loss in Game 2. None of the heavy-duty arms in the bullpen were stressed, and the Dodgers will prepare for a third straight at Citi Field after giving their horses (in the bullpen) plenty of rest for what is sure to be a stressful sequence.

Trying to maximize the day off between Games 2 and 3, Dave Roberts opted for an unusual approach by choosing roughly his fourth starter over his third (Walker Buehler).

You could say that given the quality of the Dodgers bullpen, a concerted effort offers a better chance right now. But unlike Game 4 against the Padres, this time Roberts had Landon Knack as his primary player, and that part didn't work.

After Ryan Brasier gave up the game's first run in the first frame, the Dodgers went to Knack in the second, apparently intending to have him cover multiple innings. Roberts' reluctance to use Knack under any circumstances in the elimination game in San Diego was justified, as the righty struggled mightily in the worst outing by a Dodgers pitcher since perhaps Bobby Miller.

In the bottom of the second inning, the Dodgers were down 6-0 and Roberts had to make a decision about how hard he would push to keep the game close without wasting all or most of his balls.

Overall, Roberts didn't have the platform to be successful in the previous games, the players' performance just wasn't there, but he did a great job under the circumstances. After the first two innings, the Dodgers allowed just one run and stayed in the game for the most part, competing until the end without using players like Evan Phillips, Michael Kopech and Blake Treinen.

Perhaps the most notable positive was the production of Brent Honeywell as another reliable length arm as Knack posed major doubts. Roberts pushed Honeywell beyond what anyone could have expected, using him to get nine outs on 57 pitches without allowing a run.

When Honeywell left that game, the Dodgers had cut the Mets' lead in half. Trailing 6-3 and not playing much for a few days, one would have expected Roberts to use one or two of his better arms, but that wasn't the case. Perhaps anticipating a lot of work for the guys in New York, the Dodgers manager chose Edgardo Henriquez for the final six outs.

Henriquez allowed an extra run that obviously made things more difficult against Edwin Díaz and Co., but he held his own and kept Phillips or Kopech from entering this game.

In many ways the two games were similar, but even if they didn't complete a potential comeback, the Dodgers showed much more resilience and fight under negative circumstances than the Mets.

LA now travels to Citi Field with key replacements rested and the rotation of Walker Buehler, Yoshinbou Yamamoto and Jack Flaherty ready to go.