Mets vs. Dodgers Series Prediction | NLCS Picks Today, Best Bets
Grant White
Host · Writer
Everyone expected the Los Angeles Dodgers to be in the National League Championship Series, but the New York Mets almost didn’t even make the playoffs. If not for their late-game heroics in the regular season finale, the Mets never would have had the opportunity to knock off the Milwaukee Brewers or Philadelphia Phillies. Yet, here they are, ready to cap one of the most magical October runs in MLB history against the betting favorite to win it all. That begs the question: Can New York pull off its biggest upset yet?
NLCS Mets vs. Dodgers Schedule
- Game 1: Sunday, October 13 – 8:15 pm ET @ Dodger Stadium
- Game 2: Monday, October 14 – 4:08 pm ET @ Dodger Stadium
- Game 3: Wednesday, October 16 – 8:08 pm ET @ Citi Field
- Game 4: Thursday, October 17 – TBD @ Citi Field
- Game 5: Friday, October 18 – TBD @ Citi Field (if necessary)
- Game 4: Sunday, October 20 – TBD @ Dodger Stadium (if necessary)
- Game 5: Monday, October 21 – TBD @ Dodger Stadium (if necessary)
NLCS Mets vs. Dodgers Series Odds
- Series Odds: Dodgers -176 | Mets +148
- Series Spread: Dodgers -1.5 (+122) | Mets +1.5 (-156)
- Series Total: OVER 5.5 (-184) | UNDER 5.5 (+148)
Mets vs. Dodgers NLCS Winner Best Bet: Dodgers -176
The Mets have the luxury of two extra off days ahead of the NLCS, which was just enough time to get Kodai Senga back on the mound. After making just one start in the regular season while dealing with shoulder and calf injuries, last year’s NL Rookie of the Year runner-up will be the series opener for New York. From there, Sean Manaea will take the ball for the Mets before the series shifts back to Citi Field.
The Dodgers have yet to announce their Game 1 starter or rotation plans for the series, but as we saw against the San Diego Padres, it doesn’t matter who they go to. Dodgers pitchers held the Padres scoreless across the final 24 innings of the NLDS, a streak that should carry into the early stages of the NLCS. The Mets struggle to get things going early in games with 19 of their 23 runs in the NLDS coming in the 6th inning or later. That’s an ill-advised strategy against the Dodgers, whose bullpen has a minuscule 2.22 ERA in the postseason. Moreover, the Dodgers had the fourth-fewest blown leads in the MLB during the regular season. Consequently, their advantage is more pronounced than the betting price implies. We’re taking a stake in the Dodgers in the NLCS.
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NLCS Mets vs. Dodgers Best Bet Total: Under 5.5
After an eventful Divisional Round, the NLCS will be a little more academic. LA has a superior starting rotation and bullpen, giving them a substantive advantage over the Mets’ lineup. Jack Flaherty and Yoshinobu Yamamoto weren’t at their best against the Padres, but they also aren’t as bad as their stats imply. Both pitchers combined to allow nine earned runs across 13.1 innings pitched, elevating their stats outside normal ranges. Conversely, the Mets’ rotation is operating above expected and could be prone to regression in the Championship Series. Without any late-game heroics to steal wins, New York should be headed to the offseason in five games or fewer.
NLCS Mets vs. Dodgers Best Player Props
Teoscar Hernandez to Record 3 or More Home Runs +310
Historically, the best players step up in the Championship Round, and that should lead to good things from Teoscar Hernandez. The Home Run Derby winner flashed his power in the NLDS, swatting two long balls and leading the Dodgers in slugging percentage. He also thrived at Dodger Stadium all season, with 20 of his 33 homers coming at Chavez Ravine. Collectively, the Mets’ ERA jumped from 3.57 at home during the regular season to 4.38 on the road. We witnessed some of those struggles play out against Philadelphia with all three of the Phillies’ home runs coming in their home ballpark. Hernandez is set up to continue his torrid streak and surpass three homers in the National League Championship Series.
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