Five Storylines for NLCS Game 3
Citi Field will be ready with Grimaces, OMG signs and a specialty cocktail called playoff pumpkin. (If you want to drink along at home, it’s rum, ginger ale and pumpkin spice syrup with an orange wheel.) Darryl Strawberry will throw out the first pitch to Dwight Gooden. It’s been nine years since the Mets hosted a National League Championship Series game. The Mets are three wins away from the World Series and New York City is five wins away from a Subway Series. Oh my. Here are five things to watch for Wednesday’s Game 3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Brandon Nimmo. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Brandon Nimmo‘s Left Foot
The outfielder has been dealing with plantar fasciitis in his left foot since May and it started bothering him more after running the bases during Game 3 of the NLDS. He noticeably hobbled in Game 2 after a running, leaping backhanded catch in left field. Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday that J.D. Martinez will likely start at DH. Is that just in case he needs to remove Nimmo to put Jesse Winker in left? Jeff McNeil? Nimmo is 7-for-33 (.212/.333/.303) in the playoffs and 0-for-10 in the three games since he re-aggravated the injury.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Freddie Freeman‘s Right Ankle
The Dodgers have a hobbling starter of their own. The first baseman is playing despite a sprained right ankle that he hurt on Sept. 26 trying to avoid a tag. He has limped running the bases, but plans to play through it. Freeman is 2-for-8 in the LCS and 6-for-22 (.273/.304/.273) with no extra-base hits in the playoffs. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has expressed concern about teams trying to bunt with Freeman compromised.
Luis Severino vs. Mookie Betts
Severino, a Yankee his whole career before this season, doesn’t have much of a track record against the Dodgers’ starters, with one exception. Former Red Sox Mookie Betts is 11-for-34 (.324/.425/.529) with a home run and four doubles vs. Sevy.
Fun Mookie fact: Mookie Wilson was 2-for-13 in the 1988 NLCS against the Dodgers. With Betts going 1-for-8 in the first two games, Mookies are a combined 3-for-21 with five strikeouts in NY-LA championship games.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Pete Alonso vs. Walker Buehler
The specialty cocktail-inspiring slugger is 5-for-14 with four home runs against Game 3 starter Walker Buehler. Also, keep an eye on Alonso on the bases. He has two steals in the playoffs after swiping three bags all season. His ninth-inning steal in Game 2 allowed him to score from second on a Starling Marte single and provide an insurance run in the 7-3 victory.
Bonus fun Mookie fact: Alonso needs two more steals to tie Mookie Wilson on the Mets’ career playoff stolen base leaderboard.
Photo Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Immaculate Vibes
Maybe I’m biased, but there is something extra about a New York crowd in the playoffs. I feel the intensity from the first pitch coming through the television, especially if it’s a strike. (No pressure, Luis.) Soak it in before the heart palpitations and pacing begins. Like Francisco Lindor said Monday, “pressure is a blessing.” There are 26 fan bases that would love to still be rooting for their team.
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