Live: Dodgers-Mets NLCS Game 4 (FS1)

NEW YORK — In an alternate universe, maybe Yoshinobu Yamamoto is pitching for the Mets instead of the Dodgers. He visited New York while weighing his major league options and came away impressed.

But the former Pacific League star instead landed a 12-year, $325 million commitment from the Dodgers and will make his debut at Citi Field. against The Mets in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Thursday night, when Yamamoto looks to repeat his performance against the Padres in the NL Division Series clincher that pushed L.A. so far.

“I have met [the Mets] A couple of times and I got a good impression, which made it a little difficult to make a decision,” said Yamamoto, who pitched five scoreless innings in Friday's winner-take-all game against the Padres. “It's a wonderful organization.”

“The guys out there got us to this point,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “And I'm pretty confident they will come. Yeah, you're playing in the playoffs, and when you're facing a pitching staff like that, it's going to be tough at times. We are generating traffic. I like the fact that we are on base. We just couldn't come up with a big hit, but I'm going to continue to take my chances with the guys.”

Here's everything you need to know about Game 4:

When is the game and how can I watch it?
Game 4 at Citi Field is now live on FS1.

All games are available in the US on MLB.TV (requires authentication of a participating pay TV provider). Live games are also available in select countries outside the US. For complete details, click here

Who are the starting pitchers?
Dodgers: RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (7-2, 3.00 ERA regular season)
Yamamoto is looking to build on his most important start in the majors, five scoreless innings against the Padres in Game 5 of the National League Division Series. This will be Yamamoto's first road start in the postseason.

Mets: LHP Jose Quintana (10-10, 3.75 ERA in regular season)
There may not be a pitcher alive in better form than Quintana, who has produced a 0.57 ERA over his last eight starts, including one in each of the previous two postseason rounds. The Mets considered starting Quintana in Game 3 but chose to go with Luis Severino. They are confident that Quintana, who has yet to allow an earned run in the playoffs, can continue his impressive run.

What is the starting lineup?
Dodgers: With the left-handed Quintana on the mound, the Dodgers put Teoscar Hernandez at third and Freddie Freeman, with Max Muncie starting at first and hitting in the sixth. Gavin Lux was not in the lineup, with Chris Taylor getting the nod at second base as he continued to play through a hip injury.

Mets: Mendoza raised some eyebrows in Game 3 with his decision to skip the platoon advantage to start JD Martinez at DH over Jesse Winker. He didn't change course in Game 4 because of Yamamoto's reverse split. Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo flip-flopped spots in the order, and Harrison Bader got his first NLCS start over Tyron Taylor.

How will the bullpens line up after each team's starter?
Dodgers: The Dodgers turned to Michael Kopech, Ryan Brasier and Blake Treinen in Game 3, and each of them is expected to be available again in Game 4. The bullpen continues to be the team's biggest strength, and the club will run relievers throughout the rest of the season. of the postseason.

Mets: The Mets used Tyler Magill for the final three innings of Game 3, so he will be unavailable, but every other Mets reliever should be in the game. That includes David Peterson, who the Mets aren't necessarily saving for Game 5 bulk work, and closer Edwin Diaz, of course. Setup relievers Ryne Stanek and Phil Matton can also carry a heavy load.

Hit any notes?
Dodgers: Freeman, who continues to nurse a badly sprained right ankle, was not in the lineup for Game 4. Daniel Hudson was unavailable for Game 2 with a foot injury, but the right-hander was available for Game 3 and is expected to make a couple appearances the rest of the series.

Mets: Although McNeil hasn't seen much live pitching since breaking his right wrist on Sept. 6, he has picked up 10 plate appearances in the Arizona Fall League and two more so far in the NLCS. Mendoza said McNeil's approach to communication lends itself to a successful comeback despite his recent lack of reps. Regardless, McNeal is fully healthy and capable of contributing if the Mets call upon him.

Seven players on the Mets' injured list — Paul Blackburn, Christian Scott, Deadniel Nunez, Sean Reid-Foley, Drew Smith, Brooks Reilly and Ronnie Mauricio — will not return this year.

Who is hot and who is not?
Dodgers: Kike Hernandez delivered the dagger in Game 3, a two-run home run in the sixth inning. He tied Babe Ruth with 15 homers in his postseason career. And though Ohtani continues to struggle with the bases empty, he has 17 hits with runners in scoring position in his last 20 at-bats. That included a huge three-run homer off the ice in Game 3.

Mets: Even in a down game, Vientos managed a hit — his 15th in 10 postseason games. He is easily the hottest mate. The coldest might be Alvarez, who finished the regular season strong but went 5-for-35 (.143) with 13 strikeouts in the playoffs.

Anything else fans might want to know?
• This is the fourth postseason meeting between the Mets and Dodgers, dating to a 1988 NLCS win for Los Angeles that is still considered one of the best postseason series. The Mets earned some revenge in the 2006 NLDS, sweeping the Dodgers and again in a highly entertaining 2015 NLDS win.

• The Mets led Major League Baseball with a 67-40 record from May 30 through the end of the season, with the Dodgers not far behind at 62-42. Both ranked in MLB's top five over that stretch.

• With 11 RBIs this postseason, Vientos is just shy of matching Curtis Granderson (2015) and John Olerud (1999) for the most in a single postseason in franchise history.