The Los Angeles Dodgers are just one win away from clinching their place in the World Series after another dominant offensive display against the New York Mets. The Dodgers have outscored the Mets 18-2 since the NLCS moved to Citi Field, putting them in prime position to close out the series in Game 5 on Friday night.
With their season on the line, the Mets are turning to David Peterson to start Game 5, despite him being used primarily out of the bullpen this postseason. Peterson, who has not pitched more than three innings in any of his last four appearances, faces a daunting challenge as he makes his first postseason start. The Dodgers will counter with Jack Flaherty, who has been stellar since joining the team from Detroit. Flaherty went 6-2 in 10 starts with Los Angeles, posting a solid 3.58 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP.
Flaherty set the tone for the Dodgers in Game 1, delivering seven shutout innings in a 9-0 victory. The Mets have struggled against him, managing a paltry .209 batting average in 93 plate appearances, with a 24.7% strikeout rate. Moreover, they have yet to secure a win in their two previous matchups against Flaherty.
For the Mets, starting Peterson is a gamble, but manager Carlos Mendoza may not have many other options. Kodai Senga, their Game 1 starter, struggled with decreased velocity and couldn’t make it past the second inning. Peterson relieved Senga in that game but fared little better, allowing three runs (two earned) in just over two innings of work.
Despite the risks, Mendoza remains confident in Peterson’s ability to rise to the occasion, noting, “He’s fully rested. He’s been one of our best starters. We feel like he’s going to give us the best chance.” However, the Dodgers have had success against Peterson in the past, with a .343 batting average and impressive metrics like a .420 wOBA and a .620 expected slugging percentage in 72 plate appearances against him.
The Dodgers, led by Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman—three former MVPs—have been relentless offensively. In the last two games, they’ve managed to score early, deflating the Mets and silencing the home crowd. Facing another left-handed starter in Peterson won’t require the Dodgers’ hitters to adjust their approach much, further favoring their chances to close out the series.
Dodgers vs. Mets Prediction: The Dodgers have consistently applied pressure early, and their ability to hit against Peterson bodes well for them in Game 5. With a potent lineup and Flaherty’s dominance on the mound, Los Angeles looks poised to secure their World Series spot.
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