Mets vs. Dodgers Game 2 prediction: NLCS odds, picks, best bets
Plenty of pundits, such as myself, thought the Dodgers pitching staff would get exposed in the postseason.That’s now looking like a freezing-cold take.
After beating the Mets 9-0 on Sunday in Game 1 of the NLCS, the Dodgers extended their consecutive scoreless innings streak to 33, tying an MLB playoff record.The record can be all theirs on Monday when they take on the Mets in Game 2 at Dodger Stadium.Here’s a prediction and pick for the game.The Dodgers’ relief staff pitched to a 3.07 ERA in the final month of the regular season, and they have carried that strong form into the playoffs.
In 24 1/3 innings in this postseason, their bullpen has a collective ERA of 2.22 and has been utterly dominant since falling down 2-1 in their NLDS series with the Padres. Manager Dave Roberts will lean on that strength in Monday’s Game 2 against the Mets.The veteran skipper will employ a bullpen game and look to use ace Walker Buehler later in the series.
The decision makes sense since Roberts’ bullpen is in great shape.Evan Phillips is the only Dodgers reliever to throw more than nine pitches over the last three days. After making a gamble starting Kodai Senga in Game 1, the Mets will turn to a much more reliable arm in Sean Manaea.
Manaea has allowed only three earned runs across 12 innings in the postseason.He now holds an ERA of 3.25 across his last 10 starts with a K/BB ratio of 22.6% in that span. In those 10 starts, Manaea has reduced his zone-contact rate to 81.6% and increased his swinging-strike rate to 12.4%.
He’s adjusted his arm slot and is mixing in a new-look sinker, which has been effective.Manaea has allowed slug rates of .304 and .324, respectively, when working the first and second time through the order this season, but that number bumps to .430 when facing batters for a third time. The Dodgers hold relatively equal splits at the plate versus lefties and righties this season.Since the All-Star break, they hold a wRC+ of 122 versus lefties, ...