Mets @ Dodgers NLCS Game 2: Dodgers turn to a bullpen game in search of a 2-0 lead in the series

The Dodgers got off to as good a start as they could have asked for in Game 1 of the NLCS. Jack Flaherty threw a 1-2-3 top of the first, and the Dodgers loaded the bases and scored twice off Mets’ starter Kodai Senga. Senga only recorded four outs in the game and the Dodgers put up nine runs, which got gluttonous as Flaherty tossed seven shutout innings and Daniel Hudson and Ben Casparius each put up scoreless innings. The 9-0 win gave the Dodgers Game 1 and extended their shutout streak to 33 innings, which matches the 1966 Orioles for the longest shutout streak in postseason history. Today, the Dodgers look to continue that streak with a bullpen game as they look to defend home field before heading to New York for three games starting Wednesday.

	1:08 P.M.		Los Angeles
SS	Lindor (S)	DH	Ohtani (L)
3B	Vientos	RF	Betts
LF	Nimmo (L)	LF	T. Hernández
1B	Alonso	1B	Freeman (L)
RF	Marte	C	Smith
DH	Winker (L)	SS	Edman (S)
2B	Iglesias	3B	Muncy (L)
CF	Taylor	2B	K. Hernández
C	Alvarez	CF	Pages
P	Manaea (L)	P	Brasier (R)

Ryan Brasier gets the start today in search of the record. Brasier pitched three times in the NLDS including as the opener in Game 4. He threw 19 pitches and retired all four batters he faced in his start. He was also part of the Game 2 shitshow, as he recorded the first two outs of the eighth inning but allowed a single and one of the six Padre homers in that game.

Landon Knack is expected to take down multiple innings today. Knack finished off the bullpen game in Game 4 of the NLDS with a scoreless ninth inning, but is well accustomed to taking down multiple innings. He made 12 starts in the Majors this season and his three “relief” appearances all lasted over four innings. He only failed to complete four innings once in the regular season, a September 13 start in Atlanta where he allowed five runs in two innings. He allowed two or fewer runs in 11 of his 15 outings in the regular season, but missed both series against the Mets in the regular season.

The Dodgers see their first lefty starter of the postseason with Sean Manaea getting the ball for the Mets. Historically, that’s been a good matchup for the Dodgers. Manaea spent the previous two seasons with the Padres and Giants and faced the Dodgers seven times in those two years. Three of those went pretty well for Manaea. In two relief appearances in 2022 and his final start against the Dodgers in 2023, Manaea combined to allow one run and six hits in 12 innings. His four other starts against the Dodgers in those two years were ugly. His best of those was a four run, 3 2/3 inning start as a Giant last June. Manaea made three starts as a Padre against the Dodgers in 2022 and allowed 22 earned runs in 12 2/3 innings.

Manaea turned in the best season of his career for the Mets this season. He posted a career-high with 181 2/3 innings and his 3.47 ERA is the lowest of his career. He had a 3.29 ERA entering his final start of the season, but the Brewers lit him up for five runs in 3 2/3 innings. Manaea fared better against them in the Wild Card round, allowing two runs in five innings in the only game Milwaukee would win. He took the ball in the pivotal Game 3 of the NLDS and held the Phillies to one run and three hits over seven strong innings. Manaea did face the Dodgers when the Mets came to LA in April and allowed two runs and four hits over five innings in a 9-4 Mets win. Manaea dropped his arm slot earlier this season, and has seen more success since doing so.

Sean Manaea lowered his arm slot and it's been paying big dividends!@TheMayorsOffice breaks it down ahead of the southpaw's start in Game 3.#MLBTonight | #Postseason pic.twitter.com/Rysel3UQdW

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) October 8, 2024

Manaea is primarily a sinkerballer (44.7 percent usage), but only nine qualified starters had a lower ground ball rate than his 37.6 percent. Manaea also throws a sweeper (19.2 percent), change (11.8 percent), four-seamer (11.3 percent), cutter (7.1 percent) and slider (5.9 percent). Manaea’s actually been tougher against righties this season, with a .585 OPS against righties and .738 OPS against lefties.

As anticipated, Gavin Lux is out of the lineup for the Dodgers tonight. He was already unlikely to start against a lefty before he tweaked his hip and left last night’s game early. He’s reportedly available to hit if needed, but will likely not be out there defensively. Andy Pages starts in center, with Enrique Hernandez at second and Tommy Edman at short. The Dodgers also continue the strategy they used late in the season, swapping Teoscar Hernandez and Freddie Freeman in the lineup against a lefty.

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First pitch is scheduled for 1:08 PM PT and will be shown on Fox and FS1.