As Lloyd Christmas would say, “So you’re telling me there’s a chance?” Damned right I am!
The Dodgers appeared to finish off the Mets by outplaying them in Games 3 and 4 of the NL Championship Series. But the Amazins responded with a 12-6 Game 5 win on Friday at Citi Field. Game 6 is on tap tonight in Los Angeles, with Game 7 (if necessary) played Monday.
There’s no doubt Grimace spread his magic (again) in Game 5. How else can you explain David Peterson getting out of a jam in the first inning that could have sent the Mets home? With Shohei Ohtani at third and Mookie Betts at second and no outs, Peterson got Teoscar Hernandez to ground out, Freddie Freeman to line out, and Tommy Edman to strike out. Wow!
Pete Alonso’s HR gave the home team a 3-0 lead in the first inning, and the lead grew to seven (8-1) with a five-run third inning. Then the good hitting-good pitching combo served the Mets again, with Ryne Stanek striking out Hernandez, Freeman, and Edman. After Betts’ HR cut the Dodgers’ deficit to 10-6 in the sixth, Stanek and Edwin Diaz ground it out to get the last six outs for the Mets to live another day.
Now there’s pressure on the Dodgers to finish the series in Game 6. But know this: the Mets will have ace Sean Manaea on the mound, who has been the only Mets starter able to throw inside and throw strikes consistently. The Dodgers will counter with their bullpen, which has been excellent so far this postseason, but it’s hard to win a championship relying on a bullpen game.
The Mets must keep it going, and the warmer climate will help the ball travel farther, which is good news for Pete Alonso. You have to think he has at least one more blast in his bat. Besides, Pete’s Friday night homer set the tone for the Mets, and that response often translates into the next game. Who knows? It might even wake up Francisco Lindor, a non-factor in this series. Lindor can’t end the year on a down note, can he? My money says to look for his reawakening tonight.
As Lloyd Christmas would say, “So you’re telling me there’s a chance?” Damned right I am!
