The Los Angeles Dodgers are hoping this bullpen game goes better than their last one.
The Dodgers will hit the road with a parade of relievers as they look to close out the New York Mets in Game 6 of the NL Championship Series on Sunday night. There has been no word yet from manager Dave Roberts on who will serve as opener for the NL West champions.
New York takes Sean Manaea to 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 trip to the World Series in the last eight years. Their only title during that stretch came in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season against Tampa Bay. They haven’t won a NL pennant at home since 1988 – they own a record of 24.
“The opportunity to do it here in LA in front of these fans will be really special,” pitcher Evan Phillips said Saturday.
The Dodgers will use a bullpen game for the third time this postseason, the second time against the Mets.
“The advantage for us is that bullpen games are somewhat common, to the point where we are prepared for whatever situation we are needed for that day,” Phillips said. “That communication will come to us before the game, and we will definitely be ready to go.”
Manaea is 2-0 with a 2.65 ERA in playoff starts, including a win in Game 2 at Dodger Stadium against LA’s bullpen.
“We’ll keep a close eye on him and we’ll be ready and adjust as needed,” rookie Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. Manaea had complained about hitting the wall after his last start, which lasted into the sixth inning.
“I was throwing a lot of balls with the arm, which is not typical for me, so I couldn’t really get the mind-body connection to make the adjustment,” the left-hander said. “I’m just trying to get through that. Hopefully I can get deep into the game.”
In Game 2, the Mets got to the Dodgers’ bullpen early, scoring six runs in the first two innings en route to a 7–3 victory. New York also broke the Dodgers’ streak of 33 consecutive scoreless innings in the playoffs.
“Similar to what we did in Game 2, with the expectation of better execution,” Roberts said of Sunday’s plan.
He suggested the Dodgers “be a little more aggressive” in reaching their high-leverage relievers earlier than in Game 2.
Roberts successfully used the bullpen gambit when he was blown out against the San Diego Padres in Game 4 of the NL Division Series. He didn’t hesitate to go to high-leverage relievers Michael Kopech, Alex Vesia and Phillips, who all appeared in the sixth inning. The Dodgers won, shutting down the Padres in five games. Vesia is injured and did not make the NLCS roster.
Mendoza again considered a possible lineup of Jesse Winker as designated hitter and Jeff McNeil back 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 hitting,”
Mendoza said of McNeil. ‘We don’t know who we are up against. We still have to wait and see what we encounter here.’
Roberts, in turn, planned his pitching order based on how the Mets construct their lineup.
“It’s an all-hands-on-deck situation,” he said. “And with the ‘pen, you can only push each guy so much. So it kind of depends on where they’re at, as far as the type of hitter, the number of pitches, and all that stuff.”
The teams meet for the first time since 1988 in the NLCS, when the Dodgers defeated the Mets in seven games to ultimately win their sixth World Series title.
Warm up
After three frigid games in New York, where temperatures were in the 50s and players wore knit hats and long sleeves, the series returns to the warmth of California. The weather forecast for Sunday calls for temperatures in the low 70s at first pitch before dropping to the low 60s as the game progresses.
“Hopefully everything feels good tomorrow and the fields move the way I want,” Manaea said.
The chasing
Shohei Ohtani’s wife, Mamiko, and their dog, Decoy, were low-key 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.
Ohtani’s record $700 million, 10-year contract includes a private suite in the stadium.
She and Decoy showed up for the team’s practice on Saturday. Decoy was not wearing his Dodgers jersey, which he apparently saves for game days.
After a recent match, Ohtani’s agent carried Decoy out of the stadium as Mamiko walked alongside. Ohtani stunned his teammates and fans around the world when he revealed in February that he was married to Mamiko Tanaka, a former Japanese basketball player who avoids publicity.
Injury update
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman’s status for Game 6 had yet to be decided. Roberts said he expected the All-Star to play with a sprained right ankle, but “if it costs him or us, we will certainly turn around.”
“I’m not going to jeopardize his health or certainly not win a match if he’s not mentally and/or physically ready to go,” Roberts added.
Dodgers catcher Will Smith was replaced by a pinch hitter in Game 5 after taking a foul tip or bat in his catching hand. Roberts said the tests came back negative and he expects Smith to play Sunday.
Dodgers second baseman Gavin Lux will not start Sunday because of an injured hip that limited him to a pinch-hit appearance in Game 5.
Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo is playing with plantar fasciitis in his left foot.
