Reese Kaplan -- Mets Capable of Causing Both Agita and Ecstasy

There was a great debate among Mets fans when they were sitting pretty having won their Division Series ahead of knowing the opponent as the Padres and Dodgers had not yet reached a conclusion.  The majority of fans were leaning towards the Dodgers and Shohei Ohtani over the Padres due to the similar strengths of lineup but San Diego’s perceived superior pitching.

Imagine the surprise the Mets fans faced when it was pitching and hitting both that dominated the Mets in Game One against the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Bear in mind that starter Jack Flaherty isn’t chopped liver when it comes to facing him.  In fact, between the Tigers and Dodgers from whom Los Angeles obtained him he made 28 starts going 13-7 with a 3.17 ERA.  Even slicker, he showed outstanding control with an over 5:1 strikeout to walk ratio and finished the year with 194 strikeouts in just 160+ innings. 

Oddly, Flaherty was actually a better pitcher in 2025 for his former employer in Detroit which is what made his so desirable as a trade candidate.  For the Dodgers he went 6-2 behind that formidable offense.  The ERA rose to 3.58 which is still quite good but the strikeout to walk ratio dipped to 3:1. 

Obviously he pitched like a star and the Mets hit like, well, ummm...nevermind.  What was more concerning in Game One was not the paltry 3 hits but the overall rough night for the pitchers.  There’s no way other than Reed Garrett to put a pretty face on a 9-0 drubbing.  What is more important is how it impacts the club in Game Two (which as I write this at 4:45 AM is now a 6-0 Mets lead thanks to Francisco Lindor, Tyrone Taylor and Mark Salami Vientos). 

Given the multitude of ineffective pitchers used in Game One the Mets need to put up a long start by Sean Manaea today and then Luis Severino at Citifield.  It was competitive starting pitching that helped fuel the Mets hot streak starting in June.  Again, how they fare here will determine whether or not they have a shot at the World Series in 2024 but also who will be around to start for them in 2025.

If they gain a split in L.A. then it all comes down to controlling your destiny in your home ballpark.  Obviously Citifield will be rocking a packed house in orange and blue with OMG signs all over the place.  With a split a three-game sweep would mean the unlikely glorious ascension to the World Series, but as they say you only play the season one game at a time.  Even if the Mets lose Game Two it still gives them the same three game opportunity in New York, though then it becomes a necessity to sweep to make it back to Dodger Stadium for the finale.

This year has been a bevy of mighty highs, deeper lows, pleasant surprises and withstanding prolonged slumps from both the hitters and the pitchers.  Still, what a ride it’s been!