In a bold strategic move, the Los Angeles Dodgers will hand the ball to flame-throwing reliever Michael Kopech to open a pivotal Game 6 of the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets on Sunday night. With their season on the line, the Dodgers are betting on their vaunted bullpen to carry them to the World Series promised land.
Freeman’s Absence Looms Large
Compounding the Dodgers’ challenge is the notable absence of slugging first baseman Freddie Freeman from the starting lineup. The All-Star has gutted through a sprained right ankle this postseason, but manager Dave Roberts said Freeman “just doesn’t feel like himself” after Saturday’s batting practice session.
“Freddie took BP on the field today but he’s still not 100%. We expect him to be available to pinch-hit and hopefully start Game 7 if it gets to that point.”
– Dave Roberts, Dodgers manager
Dodgers Reshuffle Lineup
To account for Freeman’s absence, the Dodgers will shift Max Muncy to first base and slot Enrique Hernandez at the hot corner. Speedy rookie outfielder Andy Pages draws the start in center, while the right-handed hitting Chris Taylor replaces the slumping Gavin Lux against Mets southpaw Sean Manea.
Mets Look to Encore Game 5 Eruption
New York will run out the same explosive lineup that plated 12 runs in a Game 5 rout, with Brandon Nimmo sliding into the 2-hole and lefty masher Jeff McNeil manning second base. After coming within one win of elimination, the Mets now have designs on an epic comeback to stun the 111-win Dodgers.
Balancing Bullpen for Game 7
Managing the workloads of their relief corps with a potential winner-take-all Game 7 looming tomorrow weighs heavily on the Dodgers’ strategizing for this bullpen game. Roberts acknowledged the tightrope he must walk in pursuit of closing out the series tonight.
“We’d love to get through this with just our high-leverage guys like Kopech, Phillips, Treinen, etc. But we also have to be mindful of tomorrow and having enough in the tank if it comes to that. A lot will depend on how the game unfolds.”
– Dave Roberts
Lessons From Prior Bullpen Game
The Dodgers will look to avoid a repeat of the pitfalls that doomed their Game 2 bullpen effort. In that contest, opener Ryan Brasier served up a Francisco Lindor leadoff homer before Landon Knack surrendered five runs in the 2nd, capped by a Mark Vientos grand slam.
This time, with their dominant late-inning weapons rested and a more experienced Kopech taking the first turn, Los Angeles hopes the outcome will be far different. An anxious Dodger Stadium crowd braces for every pitch with a trip to the Fall Classic on the line.
First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m. local time. Buckle up for a tension-filled October evening in Chavez Ravine, as the Dodgers and Mets collide in a rematch for the ages, legacies and seasons hanging in the balance.
