The Mets want to stay alive in Game 5 against the surging Dodgers

NEW YORK – The New York Mets, 11 games under .500 at the end of May, have turned their season around after adopting an “against the world” mentality.

The sentiment was best summed up by designated hitter JD Martinez, who said the best way to silence the critics who didn't believe in the Mets was, “Let's go (stink) together.” Let’s go and have fun (stink).”

However, thanks to the similarly courageous Los Angeles Dodgers, the Mets' Cinderella run through the playoffs is about to end.

The Dodgers will try to clinch the National League pennant and the Mets will try to avoid elimination Friday afternoon in Game 5 of the best-of-seven National League Championship Series.

Right-hander Jack Flaherty (1-1, 2.92 ERA this postseason) is scheduled to start for Los Angeles against New York left-hander David Peterson (1-0, 2.08).

The Dodgers earned a 10-2 victory in Game 4 on Thursday night as Shohei Ohtani hit a leadoff home run and Mookie Betts finished 4-5 with a home run and four RBIs.

The lopsided win continued a relentless eight-game stretch for the Dodgers, who have reached the playoffs in each of the last 12 years but have won the World Series just once during that span – after the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

The Dodgers appeared to be on the verge of another early exit when they fell behind the Padres 2-1 in a five-game NL Division Series. However, Los Angeles beat San Diego 10-0 and won the last two games.

The Dodgers have recorded three losses to the Mets, who outscored them 30-9 in the NLCS while maintaining a 3-1 lead. Los Angeles hit .259 to New York's .212, and the Dodgers drew 31 walks to New York's 17.

“I kind of like the us-against-the-world game that our guys have been dealing with,” Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said. “I think it’s kind of ironic with the Dodgers, but I like it.”

The Mets may not be in an enviable position, but they have thrived in challenging situations all season. New York had the best record in the majors (67-40) after May 29, clinched a playoff spot in the penultimate game of the season and was two outs away in the third game of an NL wild-card series against the Milwaukee Brewers elimination before Pete Alonso hit a three-run home run in a 4-3 win.

Since the best-of-seven format was introduced in 1985, only eight teams have overcome a 3-1 deficit in an LCS. The last team to do this was the 2020 Dodgers, who defeated the Atlanta Braves.

“The only word I can think of (for) the 2024 Mets — other than Grimace — is resilience,” Alonso said, referring to the fast-food mascot whose first pitch at Citi Field coincided with the start of New York’s summer recovery . “That's just who we are. We have fun, we enjoy the moment. But at the end of the day we are a resilient bunch and we respond very positively.”

Flaherty secured the win in Game 1 on Sunday when he allowed two hits in seven scoreless innings in the Dodgers' 9-0 win. He is 2-4 with a 3.38 ERA in seven postseason games (six starts) since 2019.

This will be the first playoff start for Peterson, who last pitched in Game 1 when he gave up three runs (two earned) over 2 1/3 innings. He is 1-0 with a 2.53 ERA and one save in six playoff games since 2022.

Flaherty made his only start in the regular season on June 13, 2019 against the Mets when he was ruled out after leading the St. Louis Cardinals in their 5-4, 10-inning victory.

Peterson is 1-0 with a 5.74 ERA in four regular-season games (three starts) against the Dodgers. He did not consider the decision on May 29 after giving up three runs (two earned) over five innings in the Dodgers' 10-3 win.

–Jerry Beach, Field Level Media