LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers are hoping this bullpen game goes better than their last one.

The Dodgers will use a parade of relievers to try to defeat the New York Mets in Game 6 of the NL Championship Series on Sunday night. There was no word from manager Dave Roberts about who will be the opener for the NL West champions.

New York goes along Sean Manaea at Dodger Stadium. The Mets won 12-6 on Friday to send the best-of-seven series back to LA.

The Dodgers are trying to secure their fourth World Series appearance in the last eight years. Their only title during that time came in the pandemic-shortened season 2020 season against Tampa Bay. They haven't won an NL pennant at home since 1988 – the record is 24.

“The opportunity to do this here in LA in front of these fans will be very special,” pitcher Evan Phillips said Saturday.

The Dodgers are using a bullpen game for the third time this postseason, the second time against the Mets.

“The advantage for us is that bullpen games are kind of a regular thing, so we're prepared for whatever situation comes our way that day,” Phillips said. “That communication will reach us before the game and we will definitely be ready to go.”

Manaea is 2-0 with a 2.65 ERA in the playoffs, including a win in Game 2 at Dodger Stadium against LA's bullpen.

“We'll watch him closely and be ready and adjust if we need to,” rookie Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said.

Manaea had complained about hitting the wall after his last start, which lasted into the sixth inning.

“I threw a lot of balls with my arm side, which wasn't typical for me, so I just couldn't make the mind-body connection to make the adjustment,” the left-hander said. “I’m just trying to push through it. I hope I can get deep into the game.”

In Game 2, the Mets reached the Dodgers' bullpen early and scored six runs in the first two innings en route to a 7-3 victory. New York grabbed the Dodgers Streak of 33 consecutive scoreless innings also in the playoffs.

“Similar to Game 2, with the expectation of better execution,” Roberts said of Sunday’s plan.

He suggested that the Dodgers would be “a little more aggressive” in getting to their heavily indebted relievers earlier than Game 2.

Roberts used the bullpen gambit successfully when he was shut out against the San Diego Padres in 2011 Game 4 of the NL Division Series. He didn't hesitate to call on powerhouse relievers Michael Kopech, Alex Vesia and Phillips, all of whom appeared in the sixth inning. The Dodgers won and defeated the Padres in five games. Vesia is injured and was not on the NLCS roster.

Mendoza weighed a possible lineup of Jesse Winker as designated hitter and Jeff McNeil at second base. Winker went 2 for 3 with an RBI triple and McNeil had two RBIs in Friday's win.

“I thought the at-bats were really good, especially for someone who hasn't played in a long time, especially the situational hits,” Mendoza said of McNeil. “We don’t know who we are facing. We still have to wait and see what we have here.”

Roberts, in turn, planned his pitching order based on how the Mets constructed their lineup.

“It’s an all-hands-on-deck situation,” he said. “And with the pen there’s only so much you can put pressure on any guy. So it just depends on where they’re at as far as the type of hitter, the number of pitches and all that.”

The teams will meet in the NLCS for the first time since 1988, when the Dodgers defeated the Mets in seven games to ultimately win their sixth World Series title.

Warm up

After three chilly games in New York, where temperatures topped 50 degrees and players wore knit hats and long sleeves, the series returns to the warmth of California. The forecast for Sunday calls for temperatures to be in the high 70s for the first pitch before dropping to 60 degrees as the game progresses.

“Hopefully everything feels good tomorrow and the pitches run the way I want them to,” Manaea said.

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Shohei Ohtani's wifeMamiko and her dog, Decoy, were unremarkable regulars at Dodger Stadium during the playoffs. The duo watches the games from a suite where they can stay indoors and away from camera lenses and fans.

Ohtanis The record-breaking 10-year, $700 million deal includes a private suite in the stadium.

She and Decoy came to the team's practice on Saturday. Decoy wasn't wearing his Dodgers jersey, which he apparently saves for game days.

After a recent game, Ohtani's agent carried Decoy out of the stadium while Mamiko walked alongside. Ohtani stunned his teammates and fans around the world when he announced in February that he had married Mamiko Tanaka, a former Japanese basketball player who avoids the public.

Injury update

Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman's status for Game 6 had yet to be decided. Roberts said he expects the All-Star to play with a sprained right ankle, but “if it's costly for him or us, we'll definitely switch.”

“I will not jeopardize his health or certainly win a game if he is not mentally and/or physically fit,” Roberts added.

Dodgers catcher Will Smith was replaced by a pinch-hitter in Game 5 after taking either a foul tip or a bat to his catching hand. Roberts said tests came back negative and he expects Smith to play Sunday.

Dodgers second baseman Gavin Lux will not start Sunday because of a hip injury that limited him to a brief appearance in Game 5.

Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo is suffering from plantar fasciitis in his left foot.

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