Mets immediately make Dodgers pay for Lindor intentional walk decision in Game 2

All of a sudden, the thought of a Game 1 blowout portending doom for the Los Angeles Dodgers feels oddly prescient.

Entering Monday afternoon's Game 2, the Dodgers were riding an all time record-tying 33 inning postseason scoreless streak, twirling shutouts in three consecutive games. In order to do it a fourth time, they'd need to roll an inside strait, hitting on bullpen maneuver after endless bullpen maneuver. Hell, it worked in Game 4 of the NLDS and turned that series around in San Diego. Why not again?

Turns out, lightning doesn't always strike consecutively. That streak never edged to an additional third of an inning, which would've made these Dodgers stand alone in the record books. Following a long at-bat, Ryan Brasier was victimized by a leadoff Francisco Lindor home run, denting the scoreboard for the New York Mets for the first time in that series.

That dinger, and all the Lindor moments that preceded it, gilded Dave Roberts' next move with a sheen of cowardice.

Dodgers get victimized by Mark Vientos after avoiding Francisco Lindor in NLCS Game 2 vs. Mets

With runners at second and third and one out in the second frame, the pitcher (Landon Knack) and scoreboard (2-0) already different from the last time Lindor had crossed the dish, the Dodgers recorded a massive second out, inducing an infield popup from Francisco Alvarez. All of a sudden, there was renewed hope they'd be able to escape the inning, with Knack believing in his right arm and momentum on their side.

Lindor striding back to the plate hinted at nerve-wracking pitches ahead, but empowering Knack to attack him (while also preaching caution) was probably the right way to handle it. After all, there are men up and down this Mets lineup who can beat you. Forcing Knack into a situation where a bases-loaded walk would score a run felt ill-conceived.

Of course, that's exactly what Roberts did. Why get beat by Lindor when you can instead get beat by Mark Vientos, who hit .563 with a pair of home runs in the Division Series against Philadelphia?

Knack skittishly worked the count full, with Vientos spoiling a number of pitches. Because of the IBB, that meant he had to come over the heart of the plate. Vientos then progressed to spoiling the days of the majority of the 45,000 Dodger Blue-clad attendees.

Just like that, the series has changed on a dime -- in no small part because the Dodgers didn't feel comfortable keeping their foot planted on the gas pedal. The postseason's all about winning superstar matchups. If you're not confident in your pitcher retiring Lindor (or at least keeping him in the ballpark) in a 2-0 ballgame with a series lead, then find a new pitcher.

Unfortunately, "finding a new pitcher" was the Dodgers' entire gameplan entering Monday's action, and now they're left even further adrift.