In a pivotal Game 5 of the National League Championship Series, the New York Mets are pulling out all the stops to keep their World Series hopes alive. Trailing the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-1 in the best-of-seven series, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza has reshuffled his lineup, starting four left-handed batters including second baseman Jeff McNeil.
McNeil, a 32-year-old veteran, hit .238 during the regular season and appeared in 129 games. He replaces the right-handed Jose Iglesias, who has consistently delivered one hit per game throughout the series. By inserting McNeil into the starting nine, Mendoza aims to present a different look to Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty, who dominated the Mets in Game 1, tossing seven shutout innings while allowing just two hits and two walks.
Mendoza’s Strategic Maneuvering
The Mets skipper explained his rationale for the lineup changes, noting that the Dodgers have only one left-handed reliever in their bullpen. “I don’t want to give them an easy lane to shoot a lefty whenever they need to,” Mendoza said. He also shifted third baseman Mark Vientos down a spot in the order, from second to third, to provide protection for the right-handed hitters and make it more challenging for the Dodgers to deploy their lone southpaw.
Adapting to Flaherty’s Dominance
Despite Flaherty’s stellar performance against both right-handed and left-handed batters during the regular season, the Mets are banking on the adage that baseball is a game of adjustments. Facing the right-hander for the second time in five days, they hope familiarity will breed success.
“We saw him recently, but he also saw [our] hitters. So he’s got a good feel for what we’re trying to do. And we’re going to have to make some adjustments and we will make some adjustments.”
– Carlos Mendoza, Mets Manager
Capitalizing on Scoring Opportunities
The Mets’ bats have not been silent in the NLCS, but the team has struggled to convert baserunners into runs. In their 10-2 Game 4 loss, they tallied 10 hits and drew three walks but only pushed across two runs. Shortstop Francisco Lindor emphasized the importance of learning from those missed opportunities, a sentiment echoed by his manager.
With their backs against the wall, the Mets understand that their margin for error is razor-thin. Every at-bat carries immense weight, and the team must capitalize on any chances they create. The lineup changes are designed to maximize their run-scoring potential and force the Dodgers’ hand when it comes to pitching matchups.
Freeman Returns for Dodgers
On the other side of the diamond, the Dodgers received a boost with the return of first baseman Freddie Freeman to the starting lineup. The slugger, who has been nursing a sore ankle, sat out Game 4 but is ready to contribute as Los Angeles looks to punch their ticket to the World Series.
The chess match between Mendoza and Dodgers manager Mario Vega has been fascinating to watch throughout the series. Each move carries significant implications, and the decisions made in Game 5 could very well determine which team advances to face the American League champion.
As the Mets and Dodgers prepare for this critical contest, the baseball world eagerly awaits to see if Mendoza’s lineup tweaks will pay dividends. With their season on the line, the Mets are leaving nothing to chance, and Jeff McNeil’s inclusion in the starting nine could prove to be a pivotal factor in their quest to extend the series.
The first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET at Citi Field in New York. The Mets will send lefty David Peterson to the mound, while the Dodgers counter with Flaherty. In a series filled with dramatic twists and turns, Game 5 promises to deliver another captivating chapter in this thrilling postseason tale.
