Dodgers Outshine Mets in Game 3 with Ohtani’s Late Homer

An eighth-inning plate approach by Shohei Ohtani was the nail in the coffin for the New York Mets in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series. With the Los Angeles Dodgers already asserting dominance, Ohtani’s three-run homer sealed the deal for an impressive 8-0 win. This victory gives the Dodgers a 2-1 edge in the best-of-seven series.

Key Moments and Performances

Kiké Hernández continued his postseason heroics with a two-run home run in the sixth, adding to the Dodgers’ lead and marking his 15th career postseason home run. The Dodgers’ sterling defense and pitching prowess played a significant role in their fourth shutout in their last five playoff appearances.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the team’s focus, saying, “These guys are locked in. And they understand they have a job to do to prevent runs. And I think we’re playing good defense, too.”

Anticipation Builds for Game 4

Game 4 is set to take place on Thursday night in Queens, with the Dodgers starting rookie Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who comes with a $325 million price tag. The Mets will counter with seasoned left-hander Jose Quintana.

Ohtani’s 410-foot homer, which barely stayed fair above the foul pole, was a highlight of the game. Max Muncy also contributed with a ninth-inning home run, his 13th in postseason play, tying him with Corey Seager and Justin Turner for the franchise record.

Postseason Dominance and Strategy

Walker Buehler, the Dodgers’ starter, demonstrated his postseason mettle by striking out Francisco Lindor with a full-count knuckle curve in the second inning. His energetic reaction showed his determination. “That was the pitch of the game,” Roberts said.

In an unfortunate turn for the Mets, they left six runners stranded in the first three innings against Buehler. Despite his injury-riddled season, Buehler shined in his 17th career postseason start, striking out six over four innings.

Buehler said, “Being in big games, that’s literally all I care about.” His focus combined with the relentless Dodgers bullpen, which provided five scoreless innings, proved formidable. Michael Kopech contributed with a hitless fifth, aiding the Dodgers’ win.

Mets Struggle to Regain Momentum

Mets starter Luis Severino had a challenging game, falling behind 2-0 in the second. Despite not allowing an earned run, he threw 95 pitches and walked four in just under five innings.

Ohtani, who went into the game batting .222 with a homer and five RBIs in his first postseason, proved his worth once again. “It’s important for Shohei, certainly, to build some confidence,” Roberts said.

Looking Forward

With a 4-0 record at Citi Field this year, outscoring New York 26-5, the Dodgers are in a strong position. The Mets, however, remain hopeful. “As long as we continue to create traffic, somebody’s going to come up and get that big one for us,” said New York manager Carlos Mendoza.

Upcoming Match

In the next game, Yamamoto will start for the Dodgers, while the Mets will rely on Quintana. Both pitchers will aim to build on their previous performances and help their teams secure the win.