To Desha Tosar
FOX Sports MLB Writer
New York — 3 of 162.
The battle-tested Mets faced the Juggernaut Dodgers in a three-game series this week. A sharp pitching matchup. A fastball that hits 102 mph. Clutch home run. The key is saved. Incredible catch. trumpet.
Ultimately, it was the Mets, the second best team in the National League, who won the season series against the Dodgers, the team with the best record in baseball (90-40). It was the Mets that passed the litmus test. In June he split a four-game series in Los Angeles, and this week at Citi Field he won two of three games.
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After it was all over, the players on both teams agreed on one thing. This three-game matchup was just another series. The outcome of their long-awaited clash means that it is time for Zilch’s elimination.
These battles may have had a postseason feel to them for the two World Series aspiring teams, but they weren’t playoffs. Both teams called it 3 out of 162 games.
This shows that the Mets and Dodgers are currently bound by an unwavering mindset. These teams want us to think he paid minimal attention to the packed crowds and intangible energy that swept Vinscully Avenue and Tom Seaver Way in June and August, respectively. increase. That’s good for the team, but for the huge fan base, the series meant something.
For fans, the series lived up to the hype. And everyone wonders if these results (the Mets winning four of his seven games) have any hint of a possible National League Championship Series between New York and Los Angeles. I thought.
Indeed, there have been some positives in connection with Australian musician Timmy Trumpet rocking the Citi Field crowd with a live performance of “Narco” for Edwin Diaz’s nine-pitch save on Wednesday. But from Diaz to Jacob deGrom’s one-run ball in seven innings to Mark Kanha’s fourth home run in ten games, the Mets were undeniably electric.
Those three moments in particular felt like the Mets were closing the door on the Dodgers for good. But at the same time, New York was giving Los Angeles a glimpse of the tenacity it would bring this postseason.
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman said, “They pitch well. We pitch well.” “If you play against them in the playoffs, that’s what happens. This is what happens with two great teams.”
About two hours before Wednesday’s first pitch, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said facing deGrom would certainly be a challenge for his team, or any team. But Roberts was treating the Dodgers-Mets series a bit like a study session, trying to glean information that would help him test in the playoffs — for example, how deGrom approaches pitching for the Dodgers’ lineup, and how Roberts and It was important information in case his coaching staff saw him again in October.
“There’s a certain way they want to hit each guy individually,” Roberts said. Because he’s clearly sitting at 99-100.” [mph]the slider is 93 [mph]I think even just looking at him can be very helpful. ”
Roberts wasn’t the only one taking notes for the playoffs. Mets ace deGrom said after his nine-strikeout performance that helped bring his ERA down to his 1.98. [they] It wasn’t, so keep that in mind for a second. ”
Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts’ home run off deGrom in the sixth inning Wednesday was a blueprint for how to make him pay for a costly mistake. After all, deGrom is just a human. He will fail sometimes, however rare, and it was Los Angeles’ job to jump on those mistakes. DeGrom missed the slider, which Betts sent to left center for his 32nd home run of the year. It was satisfying for Betts, who later described deGrom as “perhaps the greatest pitcher of all time,” but realized that it took his elite hitting acumen to score just one run off the Mets’ ace. was telling.
But the Dodgers have also learned that it’s not as easy as capitalizing on mistakes against this well-stocked Mets team in 2022. When Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner punished deGrom with a belt-high fastball, Mets center fielder Brandon Nimmo drove Rocket into the right-center wall before leaping to deprive Turner of the game-tying home run. It was easily the best catch of Nemo’s career. He was happy to help deGrom with a home run off the ledger, but center field prevented the Dodgers from stealing momentum by tying the game. In that sense, I was more proud of the importance of playing.
“We’re a good team, I know that,” Nemo said of the Dodgers matchup. “Don’t get me wrong, they are a great team and have been for a long time, so you can’t take anything away from them, but I feel we are a good match. We’ve had a good game, and we’ve got two really good teams playing together.It feels like playoff baseball.
With the Mets and Dodgers playing their final regular-season matchup, both teams have different responsibilities with a month left before baseball in October.
With an 18-game lead in the NL West, the Dodgers have the advantage of giving their daily players a rest before the constant stimulation of the postseason. Key players such as Freeman and Trea his Turner, who have played every game this season, will be on vacation for a few days this month. But the Dodgers don’t want a rest day that means they’re taking a lazy approach to ending the regular season. We want to find a way. It’s a privileged and tricky endeavor.
Mets center fielder Brandon Nimmo responded after stealing a home run against the Dodgers on Wednesday and helped secure New York’s 2-1 victory. (Photo credit: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Mets manager Buck Showalter, for example, doesn’t have the advantage of giving his players a few days off. The Braves have threatened to usurp New York’s top spot for most of this year, and with the Mets looking to clinch his first NL East title since 2015, he can’t afford to take his foot off the gas. There is none.
Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso are tied for the most appearances in New York (131) and will be essential to achieving that goal. But they will be even more important in his October, when their health and talent will be paramount for the Mets to end his 36-year championship drought.
“I said this about the Braves, but I also say it about the Dodgers,” Mets right-hander Chris Bassitt said. But it’s just another game. If this was the playoffs, I would be saying different things.It’s a long way.We have a month to go.So it’s a good win against a good team.That’s it.”
Deesha Thosar is an MLB writer for FOX Sports. She previously covered the Mets for the New York Daily News. Follow @ @ on Twitter.dishatsaar.
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