Dodgers Mets Game 1 Preview

That was the longest four days ever, but here we are, set to start off the NLDS at Dodger Stadium. Everything going according to plan so far.

The last time the Dodgers and the Mets played in the postseason, the Dodgers had one of the greatest TOOTBLANs of alltime and the Mets beat Derek Lowe, Hong-chi Kuo and Greg Maddux to sweep the Dodgers. That was nine years ago, and was the last time the Mets were in the postseason. But led by dominant, hardthrowing pitching and pushed over the top by the trade deadline acquisition of Yoenis Cespedes, the Mets won 90 games and took the division by seven.

The Mets limped to the playoffs, losing five of their last six and scoring two runs in their final four games. Since I didn’t believe in momentum and finishing strong when the Dodgers were struggling against the Rockies late, it would be hypocritical for me to think the Mets late struggles gives the Dodgers an advantage. What it did do, however, was open the door for the Dodgers to steal home field advantage. It’s also highly debatable how much this matters considering through the Wild Card and ALDS Game 1’s, the home team still hasn’t led at any point in the four games.

October 8, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder

(16) takes batting practice during workouts before game one of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

It’ll be an incredible pitching matchup tonight, as Jacob deGrom takes on Clayton Kershaw. deGrom’s last road loss came in Atlanta on June 19, when he gave up two runs in seven innings and the Mets couldn’t figure out Matt Wisler in his first career start. deGrom finished the season with a 2.45 ERA (2.70 FIP) and 205 strikeouts in 191 innings.

deGrom has only started one game at Dodger Stadium in his career, and he gave up five runs in six innings last August. He only allowed two hits in seven 2/3 innings against the Dodgers this season in New York and he threw four no-hit innings against the Nationals in his final tuneup in the regular season.

Chase Utley is the only Dodger position player with double-digit plate appearances against deGrom in the past, and he’s 3-10 with two walks. Adrian Gonzalez and Yasiel Puig have each homered against deGrom.

Kershaw gets his first chance to reverse the postseason narrative. In eight starts (11 total appearances), Kershaw is 1-5 and owns a 5.12 ERA. Those numbers are extremely troubling, but it’s really been blown up because of two awful starts against St. Louis, where he gave up seven and eight runs in four and six 2/3 innings, respectively. Other than those two starts, Kershaw has given up four runs in four playoff games in the last two years. He’s coming off a season that would normally guarantee him a third consecutive Cy Young award, but with the seasons Jake Arrieta and Zack Greinke put together he might literally finish in third with 301 strikeouts and a sub-2.00 FIP.

This is obviously a very different Mets team that Kershaw will be facing, but he has owned the Mets in the past. Kershaw owns a 1.34 ERA in nine career starts against the Mets. He gave up one run in two starts against them this season, but got the loss at Dodger Stadium despite allowing a run and five hits in seven innings. He three starts later, he went to New York and struck out 11 in a CGSO.

No current Met has had much success against Kershaw. Ruben Tejada is 5-14 against him and Kelly Johnson has the only homer against Kershaw on the DS roster. Big bats Lucas Duda and Curtis Granderson are each 1-10 in the past against Kershaw.

Corey Seager hitting third is amazing. He wasn’t even on the roster a month ago. He’s 21.

I expected A.J. Ellis to be behind the plate tonight with Kershaw on the hill. It’ll be interesting to see if Yasmani Grandal gets back int he lineup tomorrow with Zack Greinke on the hill.

Joc Pederson is in the lineup over Enrique Hernandez. Kiké is probably a better at-bat right now, but the postseason is about defense and Joc is the best defensive outfielder on the team. With the Mets and their righties, it’s not too surprising that Puig is on the bench as he’s still not 100 percent.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 PST and will be shown on TBS with no blackouts anywhere. In sadder news, Vin Scully will not call the game on radio as he is “resting comfortably” after undergoing a medial procedure yesterday. Get well soon, Vin.