Mets Gamble Everything on One Pitcher to Take Down the Fierce Dodgers in Game 6

LOS ANGELES -- As the National League Championship Series continues to be a batting paradise with seemingly no end to the runs flooding in, the New York Mets are pinning their hopes on left-handed pitcher Sean Manaea to stop the hemorrhage and force a deciding Game 7. The task ahead of him, however, is daunting - to quiet down the explosive offense of the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 6 on Sunday at Dodger Stadium.

It has been a series that has seen both teams trade blows and neither team able to gain a clear upper hand in terms of stifling the opponent’s batting. With the series hanging in the balance at 3-2 in favor of the Dodgers, the Mets are desperately seeking a way to limit the damage and take the series to its limit.

Manaea, who was acquired by the Mets at the trade deadline, presents an interesting case for this critical game. He has had his share of ups and downs in the playoffs so far but has the kind of stuff that could pose problems for the Dodgers lineup if he can get into a rhythm early.

“For us, it’s about going out and executing the plan and not getting too worked up about the opponent,” Mets manager said of their strategy against the Dodgers. “We know they are a very good team, but we also know that if we do the little things right, we can beat them. Sean is a big part of that.”

While the Mets’ pitching has struggled at various points in the series, the team has been buoyed by the resilience of their hitters, who have consistently found ways to respond to big innings by the opposition. In Game 5, the Mets scored six runs in the ninth inning to take a brief lead before the Dodgers scored in the bottom of the frame to walk off.

Manaea’s task, though not impossible, is formidable. The Dodgers have consistently shown an uncanny ability to bounce back from deficits and have not allowed the Mets to feel comfortable at any point in the series. With a win, they can advance to the World Series for the third time since 2017.

But the Mets are banking on their strategy and the momentum from their thrilling Game 5 win being enough to upset the Dodgers. In their minds, the series is still wide open and there’s no reason they can’t head back to New York for a winner-takes-all Game 7.