The Los Angeles Dodgers are heading back to the World Series.
With a 10-5 victory over the New York Mets in Game 6 on Sunday, LA advances to its fourth World Series in eight seasons and first since winning it all in 2020. The Dodgers will face the New York Yankees, who Cleveland Guardians in five games in the ALCS, in Game 1 on Friday.
Tommy Edman was named NLCS MVP after contributing four RBI in Game 6 and 11 total in this National League Championship Series against the Mets.
It didn’t seem like a great start for the Dodgers when opener Michael Kopech threw 25 pitches and gave up a run in the first inning, but Los Angeles’ pitching didn’t have to be elite – it just had to be better than New York’s. . And it was. A total of fourteen pitchers were used in the game, seven on each side, and Los Angeles’ gamble on a bullpen game paid off.
The Mets struck first in the opening frame thanks to some heads-up baserunning, an infield single by Pete Alonso and a throwing error by the Dodgers, but their lead did not last long as the Dodgers’ attack struck Mets starter Sean Manaea early attacked. The left-hander threw 34 pitches (21 strikes) in the first inning and gave up a two-run double to Tommy Edman.
Manaea only made it one more inning, and from then on it was an uphill battle as the Mets pitchers continued to struggle against the Dodgers’ relentless attack. Edman continued his NLCS dominance with a two-run homer in the third, and Will Smith joined the party just three batters later with a two-run bomb of his own. Shohei Ohtani scored a run with an RBI single in the sixth, and RBI from Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernández and Enrique Hernández in the eighth lifted the Dodgers into double figures.
Ohtani will play in his first World Series in his seventh season in the MLB – and his first with the Dodgers after signing a monster 10-year, $700 million contract this offseason.
What better way for Ohtani to make his World Series debut than against Aaron Judge, Juan Soto and the Yankees? It’s been 43 years since the Dodgers and Yankees last met in the Fall Classic, with the Dodgers winning 4-2 in 1981.
Both teams should be well rested when the World Series starts on Friday in Los Angeles.
The Mets have reached their last three outs in the NLCS
Blake Treinen struck out in the eighth and the Dodgers are on the cusp of a trip to the World Series.
Mets tackle one with a sacrifice fly in the 7th
Francisco Alvarez makes it 7-4 in the 7th, but the Mets can’t get a rally going and are down to six outs.
Shohei Ohtani makes it 7-3 Dodgers
Mets leave the bases loaded… again
The Mets are still down 6-3, but that’s not for a lack of opportunities. There are now eleven runners on base.
Dodgers 6, Mets 3 after 5 innings
Edwin Díaz has pitched two scoreless innings for the Mets, who needed some stability on the mound.
Mark Vientos hits his 5th home run of the postseason
Don’t count out the Mets just yet…
Take a series, Tommy Edman
Will Smith’s 2-run shot gives Dodgers a 6-1 lead
Things aren’t looking great for the Mets so far, and it’s only the third…
Sean Manaea’s night is over
After Manaea gave up the homerun to Edman and then walked Max Muncy, Phil Maton enters the game for the Mets.
Manaea’s final rule: 2 IP, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO.
Tommy Edman drives in two more!
Edman seems uninterested in a potential Game 7.
The stars are in Los Angeles for NLCS Game 6
Michael Cooper and Magic Johnson on the field prior to Game 6 between the Mets and Dodgers on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Mets leave the bases loaded in the 3rd
Anthony Banda struck out Jeff McNeil with the bases loaded, and the Dodgers still led 2-1 in the middle of the third inning.
Another pitching change for the Dodgers
Anthony Banda faces Jesse Winker after Pete Alonso reached first base with a single.
Better 2nd inning for Manaea
Manaea gave up a single to Chris Taylor, who stole second base, but struckout Shohei Ohtani and escaped the inning unscathed.
Dodgers 2, Mets 1 in 2nd inning
The Mets threatened with a walk for Francisco Alvarez and a single by Francisco Lindor, but reliever Ben Casparius neutralized the threat.
Kopech out, Casparius in
After Michael Kopech threw 25 pitches in the first inning, Ben Casparius takes over for the Dodgers in the second inning.
