The Los Angeles Dodgers continue their commanding performance in the National League Championship Series as they delivered a decisive 10-2 victory over the New York Mets at Citi Field, taking a 3-1 series lead. The match was highlighted by a remarkable showing from Shohei Ohtani, who opened the game with a home run, and superstar Mookie Betts, who contributed significantly with a two-run homer and a two-run double, amassing four RBIs. This victory positions the Dodgers just one win away from their 25th pennant, setting a historic record as they aim for yet another trip to the World Series.
Max Muncy added another highlight to his postseason journey by reaching base safely for the 12th consecutive at-bat, an impressive record. The Dodgers’ powerful offense has been stellar throughout the series, demolishing the Mets with previous wins of 9-0 and 8-0. This makes them only the second team, after the 1960 New York Yankees, to achieve three wins by such margins in a single postseason series. As the Dodgers prepare for Game 5, Jack Flaherty will take the mound, looking to secure the final blow to the Mets in front of a hometown crowd.
Tommy Edman played a pivotal role by securing three RBIs, including a critical double that broke a tie in the third inning, pushing the Dodgers ahead. His sentiments about the team’s relentless performance speak volumes: "We have so much talent and resilience," he expressed post-game, highlighting the team's ability to overcome any obstacles and maintain their fighting spirit despite occasional setbacks during the season.
Mookie Betts continued to shine, launching a two-run double off Jose Buttó and then a two-run homer against Phil Maton, further extending the Dodgers lead. These accomplishments add him to an elite list, as he joins Steve Garvey and Chris Taylor with a remarkable performance of four hits and four RBIs in an NLCS game.
Despite Mark Vientos' early homer off Dodgers’ rookie Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Mets struggled significantly. Their recent success at Citi Field seemed a distant memory as they faced their second consecutive blowout at home. The series scoreline of 30-9 highlights the Dodgers’ dominance, setting a historic record for the highest run differential in the first four games of a postseason series.
Max Muncy succinctly captured the Dodgers’ momentum post-game: "We’re playing Dodger baseball," he stated. By focusing on maintaining their regular-season discipline and avoiding unnecessary risks at the plate, the Dodgers have created a formula for success that has translated seamlessly into the postseason.
As the Mets battle to keep their postseason dreams alive, the Dodgers stand poised to close the series in Game 5. The anticipation builds around whether New York will turn to Kodai Senga or David Peterson on the mound in a desperate attempt to stave off elimination. Meanwhile, the empty stands of Citi Field after another discouraging Mets performance serve as a stark reminder of the stakes involved as the postseason drama continues.
