Mets vs Dodgers: Starting pitchers and lineups for NL Championship Series Game 2

Defense is great and all, but in order to win, you have to score. And doing that against the Dodgers is easier said than done. They haven’t allowed a run in 33 innings and would love nothing more than to keep that streak alive.

“This is going to be a long series,” Mets outfielder Starling Marte said, speaking through an interpreter. “We’re going to have to keep battling and stay confident. The motivation and energy are still here.”

The Dodgers’ Game 1 steamroller win gives them a solid advantage in this best-of-seven series, but it’s far from over. Historically, teams that win Game 1 at home win the series about two-thirds of the time. But if MLB has had a team that could be called the comeback kids this postseason, it is the Mets. They outlasted the Braves to clinch a playoff spot on the next-to-last day of the regular season and then upset the Brewers and Phillies to get here.

Sean Manaea will be taking the mound for the Mets, and they’ll need every bit of his recent success if they want to break the Dodgers' scoreless streak. Manaea has been in top form since adjusting his arm slot in late July, posting a 2.25 ERA in the postseason. “It’s another chance to go out there and prove again,” he said, referring to the Dodgers’ tough lineup, which he managed to hold to two runs over five innings earlier this season.

The Dodgers, meanwhile, are going with a bullpen Game. Manager Dave Roberts hasn’t named a starter, but they’ve had great success with this strategy before, shutting out the Padres for nine innings in a bullpen Game during the NLDS. The Mets are preparing for the challenge. “Just because it’s not a traditional starter doesn’t mean it’s not going to be a tough Game,” Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor said. “They’ve got a good bullpen, and we’ve just got to put it all together.”

Starting Lineups:

Mets:

Dodgers:

Bullpen Outlook

The Mets are a little short-handed after using David Peterson heavily in Game 1. He’ll likely be unavailable until Game 5, but the rest of their key arms are ready to go. Closer Edwin Díaz is fresh, and setup men Ryne Stanek and Phil Maton are expected to handle large workloads.

The Dodgers have all their bullpen options available after Jack Flaherty’s seven strong innings in Game 1. Evan Phillips, Michael Kopech, and Blake Treinen will be crucial for shutting down the middle of the Mets' lineup. The Dodgers also have some long relief options in Landon Knack and Ben Casparius if needed.

Injuries to Watch

Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo is dealing with plantar fasciitis in his left foot but is expected to play through it. Meanwhile, second baseman Jeff McNeil is fully healthy and could see more time in the lineup. For the Dodgers, Freddie Freeman’s right ankle sprain remains a game-time decision, and second baseman Gavin Lux may sit out after leaving Game 1 with hip tightness.

Who’s Hot and Who’s Not

For the Mets, the top of the lineup struggled in Game 1, with only the bottom half managing hits. Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, and Mark Vientos were quiet after driving the team through the NLDS. Vientos, in particular, had his streak of four consecutive multi-hit games snapped.

On the Dodgers' side, Kiké Hernández continues to build his postseason reputation, delivering two hits in Game 1. Mookie Betts, already having a strong postseason, broke the Game open with a bases-clearing double. Will Smith, however, is still trying to find his form at the plate after a tough couple of months.

Key Things to Watch

This isn’t the first time these teams have clashed in the postseason. The Mets and Dodgers have met three times before, most memorably in 1988, when Los Angeles won the NLCS. The Mets evened things out by taking the 2006 NLDS and a thrilling 2015 NLDS.

As both teams try to gain an edge in Game 2, keep an eye on Mookie Betts. He’s got Sean Manaea’s number, hitting .313 with two doubles, two triples, and three homers off the lefty over his career. If Manaea doesn’t find a way to keep Betts in check, the Mets could find themselves in trouble early.