Dodgers Blank Mets in Game One of NLCS

Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

October 13, 2024

Dodgers 9, Mets 0

A Mookie Betts base-clearing double in the eighth inning wrapped up a dominant display from the Los Angeles Dodgers, shutting out the New York Mets 9–0.. Jack Flaherty‘s pitch location and cheese sat down the Mets batters while the bats got hot for the West Coast powerhouse Dodgers. The Mets’ starting pitcher Kodai Senga struggled with location early and didn’t do himself any favors. The Mets’ bullpen found themselves in unfavorable counts and couldn’t help the bats.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts chimed in on the work of his team, “It was just a pitching clinic. I thought he did a great job of filling up the strike zone with his complete mix. Used his fastball when he needed to. Just minimized damage. And once we caught a lead, he did a great job of just going after those guys and attacking. And for us to get seven innings in a long series was huge.”

Carlos Mendoza spoke on Senga after his struggling start, “He was off. He didn’t have it. He didn’t have the life on his fastball and a lot of balls out of hand, non-competitive pitches, especially the split. You could tell that the way that they were taking those pitches they were balls out of the hand. Definitely off today.”

Betts case scenario?

9 runs in #NLCS Game 1! pic.twitter.com/mc6nQAUSVs

— MLB (@MLB) October 14, 2024

Dodgers – Mets Game Summary

The Dodgers started their game off early by loading the bases with one out. Will Smith had no sacrifice fly on his first inning fly out, but Max Muncy ripped a two-run single into center to give the Dodgers the early lead.

Shohei Ohtani continued his great hitting with runners on base, as he ripped an RBI single to score Gavin Lux in the second inning. Senga’s night ended there, with only four outs posted and three earned runs given up.

The Dodgers continued their trouncing in the fourth inning. Tommy Edman hit an RBI single to score Enrique Hernandez, Ohtani ripped a single off the wall and advanced to second, and Edman scored from first. Freddie Freeman singled to score Ohtani, giving the boys in blue another three runs in the fourth.

The Dodgers capped off their night, with Mookie Betts pulling a ball down the third base line, clearing the bases with a three-run double. It was a perfect night for everyone as a home fan, while the Mets only looked around for someone to blame.

What Went Right for the Dodgers

Pitching

The Dodgers allowed only three hits, with their starter Jack Flaherty going seven innings, allowing two hits, six strikeouts and two walks. With another shutout, they also tied a postseason record for 33 consecutive scoreless innings. The Dodgers’ pitching staff is lights out this postseason.

Consistent Hitting

The long ball carried them to the NLCS, but it played no part in their beatdown of the Mets. Of the nine runs they scored, six came from singles, and the boys in blue went 5-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

What Went Wrong for the Dodgers

Walks

Although the pitching was great, three walks can hurt them in other games. On Sunday, it did not, but the control should be better.

What Went Right for the Mets

Troubling Teoscar

Teoscar Hernandez‘s 2024 postseason bolstered the Dodgers in many positions, but Sunday was not his night. The Mets struggled, but one of the Dodgers hot bats went hitless.

What Went Wrong for the Mets

Kodai Senga

Lots of fans in New York and ones that could watch across the world expected Senga to bounce back from his last start where he did not fulfill his potential against the Philadelphia Phillies. He posted four outs, but allowed three earned runs and had issues with control, allowing four walks.

Got Nothing Going

It seemed nothing was going right for the Mets, when they only got three hits. Their one chance came in the fifth inning, but Jesse Winker‘s base running blunder.

Quick Hits

Since 2000, the teams that win Game One are 16–8 to advance to the World Series, and 3–2 in the last five innings.

The Dodgers 33 consecutive scoreless innings allowed are tied for the most in postseason history, with the 1966 Baltimore Orioles becoming the last team to do so.

Looking Ahead

Game Two in the NLCS will occur on Monday, where the Mets will send out Sean Manaea (1–0, 2.25) in the postseason, while the Dodgers have not announced their starter as of press time. It could be Walker Buehler, but after he struggled in Game Three of the NLDS, his time may have been short lived.