The Dodgers held another pitching practice against the Mets in the NLCS

NEW YORK — Hey, shouldn't the Los Angeles Dodgers' pitching staff be a complete mess in the postseason?

Were the Dodgers not on their way to another playoff exit because they only had three healthy starters?

They had better pitchers on their injured list than on the active roster, right?

Well, who's laughing now?

The Dodgers posted their fourth shutout in their last five postseason games with an 8-0 victory over the New York Mets at Citi Field on Wednesday night to take a 2-1 lead in this National League Championship Series.

They're halfway to the World Series.

“I don’t think we took it personally,” said Dodgers reliever Michael Kopech, the winning pitcher, “but you know, we kind of did.”

“Pretty cool to see what we do.”

Also historical.

The Dodgers became the eighth team in postseason history to post four shutouts, just one fewer than Cleveland's five shutouts in 2016.

“It's really satisfying,” Dodgers reliever Blake Treinen said, “but it's not a crazy formula.” Our defense behind us played great. The offense makes it much easier for us because they take the lead early.

“Really, we just don’t let it get bigger than it is. “We’re not afraid to make big pitches in big spots.”

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts simply says, “These guys are locked up.”

It's not like the Dodgers have Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale on the mound. Don Newcombe isn't there. Orel Hershiser has been retired for a long time. Clayton Kershaw is on the injured list.

Yet here is Walker Buehler, who was 1-6 with a 5.38 ERA in 16 starts this season, shutting out the Mets for four innings. Kopech, Ryan Brasier, Treinen, all relievers from other teams, pitched three shutout innings. And rookie Ben Casparius, who pitched for the University of Connecticut three years ago, finished the game with two more shutout innings.

“Walker,” said Max Muncy, who tied the Dodgers’ franchise record with 13^Th Postseason home run,” was Walker Buehler. “That's exactly what we expected. He definitely had the attitude and the emotions.

It’s the same with the entire Dodgers pitching staff. The only people at 41 Seaver Way who weren't the least bit surprised were the guys getting dressed in the visiting club's clubhouse at Citi Field.

“It wasn’t me,” said Dodgers All-Star right fielder Mookie Betts. “These guys work hard. You are playing the game correctly. You're doing everything right. And it's great to be a part of what they're doing now.

“Everyone goes through their ups and downs, but we all believe in each other and it’s showing right now.”

The Dodgers are doing it in an unconventional way, with Jack Flaherty their only starter to have gone more than five innings this postseason, three times with bullpen games, but it works perfectly.

“We knew the bullpen would be relied upon heavily in the postseason,” Kopech said. “So we wanted the ball. We knew we could do it. “There was really no doubt.”

The Mets had their chance in Game 3, particularly in the second inning, when they had the bases loaded and only had one out against Buehler, but then he struck out Francisco Alvarez while hitting a 94 mph fastball and then deceived Francisco Lindor with a 3-and-2 curveball to end the inning.

“There are certain guys that can step up in certain moments,” Muncy said, “and he's definitely one of them.” He's always been one of them. “There is no moment that is too big for him.”

The Mets were never the same again. They only managed two goals the rest of the game and only produced four goals in the game. In the Mets' two losses, they were outscored 17-0, with just seven singles and no extra-base hits.

“When you face a pitching staff like that,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said, “it's going to be difficult at times. “We create traffic. I like the fact that we have people on base. I just didn't manage to have a big hit. …

“I will continue to drive our boys. They brought us here. “They will continue to strengthen.”

Well, the Mets better change it quickly or their Subway Series plans will go up in flames.

In the words of Betts, “At a time like this, there aren't very many tomorrows.” “They run out pretty quickly.”

The Dodgers know the feeling of urgency themselves. They were on the verge of elimination in the NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres, but were able to eliminate the Padres in the last two games.

They came to New York for the first time in the NLCS since 1988, but faced with a sellout crowd of 43,883 early in the game, they headed for the exits when Enrique Hernandez hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning 4-0 lead. It turned into a rout when Shohei Ohtani hit a three-run pitcher in the eighth, followed by Muncy's home run in the ninth.

“Just having a two-run lead on a team like this,” Kopech said, “you feel like you have a lot of cushion.” I don't think the games feel close at all unless we're in a 0-0 ball game. That’s how much trust we have.

“Right now I feel like we have the upper hand against pretty much everyone.”

Even in New York, there may be no one who dares to disagree.

Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale

Leave a Reply Cancel reply