NLCS Game 3 Live Updates, Highlights

After the Dodgers and Mets split the first two games in Los Angeles, the National League Championship Series shifts to New York for Game 3 on Wednesday night.

The Dodgers crushed the Mets 9-0 in Game 1 behind a great start by Jack Flaherty, but New York responded with a 7-3 win in Game 2, highlighted by Mark Vientos' grand slam.

Luis Severino (11-7, 3.91 ERA) starts for the Mets and has had a good start in each of his 2024 postseason outings. Walker Buehler (1-6, 5.38 ERA) took the loss in Game 3 of the NLDS against the Padres, allowing six runs in the first two innings.

“The East Coast/West Coast, LA/New York thing is pretty cool,” Buehler said a day before Game 3. “I imagine it's going to rock here tomorrow.”

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Freeman, Lindor show them the Gold Gloves

Freddie Freeman scooped to first base to throw out Tyrone Taylor at fourth base.

Francisco Lindor with an incredible backhand at shortstop to rob Mookie Betts of a hit in the 5th inning.

Mets' turn: Luis Severino avoids a bases-loaded jam

This time it was the Mets who avoided a bases-loaded jam. With one out and the bases loaded in the third inning, Luis Severino allowed Teoscar Hernandez to third and Gavin Lux to ground out to Severino.

Dodgers 2, Mets 0, bottom third

The Dodgers get out of the bases-loaded jam

The Mets had their first big chance to bounce back against Walker Buehler in the bottom of the second.

With one out, JD Martinez walked, Jose Iglesias singled on a grounder that was bowled by Tommy Edman and Tyrone Taylor walked to load the bases. But Francisco Alvarez was frozen on an outside fastball and Francisco Lindor swung through a high fastball.

The Dodgers are on the board first

The Dodgers took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning despite hitting a ball out of the infield against Mets starter Luis Severino.

Max Muncy walked. Based on Teoscar Hernandez fielder's choice. Gavin Lux grounded out to Severino. Muncie third, Hernandez second. Will Smith then hit an infield single off Severino's glove to score Muncie and move Hernandez to third base with one out.

The Dodgers added a second run on a sacrifice fly from Tommy Edman, which could have been worse had Tyron Taylor's highlight-reel catch in centerfield not saved a potential third run from scoring.

Did Dave Roberts consider shuffling the lineup for Game 3?

Much has been written about Shohei Ohtani's struggles at the plate this postseason. He is 0-for-19 with no one on base, but is 6-for-8 with runners on. So asked that question during Dodgers manager Dave Roberts' press conference on Tuesday.

Any thoughts on shuffling the lineup for the rest of the series?

“No, there isn't,” Roberts said Tuesday. “I just think it's funny how things changed in the beginning where there was a lot of concern about Shohei not being able to hit with runners in scoring position. To get guys on base, so he can hit, I find that a little ridiculous?

“So I don't think anybody can predict who's going to get on base in Game 3 or Game 4. So I feel like I've changed things like Teo (Hernandez), Freddy (Freeman). , 5, 6, Maybe 7, 8, 9. But to think I'm taking Shoi to 4 or 3, that's not going to happen.”

Ohtani's postseason stats: 50-50 star struggles in October

NEW YORK — Shohei Ohtani kept his composure Tuesday, smiling at times, even breaking into a few laughs, refusing to let anyone sweat.

If he's feeling the pressure of trying to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to the World Series, he's not showing it publicly.

The Dodgers certainly did well without making his presence felt, reaching the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets. But at some point, for the Dodgers to ultimately get where they want to go, they'll need him.

The Dodgers are loaded with stars, but it's hard to imagine them riding in a World Series parade through downtown Los Angeles if Ohtani continues to struggle. He is just 6 for 27 this postseason and is homerless in his last six games.

“This is my first experience in the postseason,” Ohtani said, “so I can't really rely on past experience or reflection.” But what I do know is that we're playing good teams, better teams, with their best pitchers. So being able to get base hits, to get results, is not as easy as it could be.''

– Bob Nightingale

Dodgers vs. Mets game 3 times

The first pitch is scheduled for 8:08 pm ET Wednesday night at Citi Field.

• Location: Citi Field in Queens, New York
• Date: Wednesday, October 16

Mets vs Dodgers TV Channel

Mets lineup, NLCS Game 3

1. Francisco Lindor (S) SS
2. Mark Vientos (R) 3B
3. Brandon Nimmo (L) LF
4. Pete Alonso (R) 1b
5. Starling Marte (R) RF
6. JD Martinez (R) DH
7. Jose Iglesias (R) 2b
8. Tyrone Taylor (R) cf
9. Francisco Alvarez (R) c

Dodgers lineup, NLCS Game 3

1. Shohei Ohtani (L) DH
2. Mookie Bates (R) RF
3. Freddie Freeman (L) 1b
4. Max Muncie (L) 3B
5. Teoscar Hernandez (R) LF
6. Gavin Lux (L) 2B
7. Will Smith (R) c
8. Tommy Edman (S) SS
9. Enrique Hernandez (R) CF

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