Mets Face Elimination in NLCS After Lopsided Loss to Dodgers

NEW YORK — As Francisco Lindor stepped up to the plate to lead off the bottom of the seventh inning, the familiar tune of “My Girl” echoed through Citi Field, but it felt more like a distant whisper. The atmosphere, once filled with excitement, now reflected the somber reality that the New York Mets are on the brink of elimination as their postseason dreams hang by a thread.

The Mets suffered a disheartening 10-2 defeat against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday night, a game in which they seemed completely outmatched. With this loss, they now find themselves trailing 3-1 in the National League Championship Series (NLCS).

While teams have historically managed to overcome such deficits, the Mets’ situation feels particularly dire. Manager Carlos Mendoza reflected on the team’s struggles, citing a sentiment expressed by pitcher Sean Manaea earlier in the week: “We’ve hit a wall.”

Manaea, after his recent outing, admitted, “I just hit a wall. I’m obviously not trying to do that. I really have no other excuse than that.” Mendoza elaborated on the challenges faced by his rotation, noting, “We ask a lot of these guys. And we’re facing a good team. You’ve got to give those guys credit. That’s a deep lineup.”

The Mets’ difficulties stem from multiple sources, but the underperformance of their starting rotation is a significant factor. Throughout the latter part of the regular season, New York relied heavily on its veteran pitchers, whose durability was a crucial asset. However, as the postseason progressed, the toll of the season became evident. Jose Quintana, now 35 years old and significantly exceeding his usual innings, particularly struggled in Game 4.

Quintana’s approach of working the edges of the strike zone was ineffective against the Dodgers, leading to a disappointing line of four walks, five hits, and five earned runs in just 3 1/3 innings. By the time his night ended, the Mets found themselves facing a daunting 5-2 deficit.

Earlier in the series, Mendoza had emphasized the importance of rest days in determining the rotation order for the NLCS. “I think it comes down to where they are physically,” he noted, referring to the pitchers’ fatigue. “Those three guys (Quintana, Manaea, and Luis Severino) are in territory right now that they haven’t been.”

Through four games of the series, no Mets starter has managed to record an out in the sixth inning. In stark contrast, only Jack Flaherty, the Dodgers’ Game 1 starter, has pitched deep into the game, going seven innings. This disparity highlights the differences between the Mets and Dodgers; Los Angeles can rely on a formidable bullpen that can handle pressure situations effectively.

After Quintana’s exit, the Mets turned to reliever José Buttó, who has seen his role diminish due to inconsistent performances. Buttó allowed two inherited runners to score, showcasing the ongoing struggles of the Mets’ pitching staff. This season marks Buttó’s first as a consistent contributor, having initially started the year in the rotation.

For Game 5, the Mets are set to start lefty David Peterson. As previously reported by The Athletic, Peterson had been considered a viable option over Kodai Senga, provided he wasn’t used out of the bullpen first. Peterson, however, hasn’t started a game since September 29 and has primarily served as a multi-inning reliever since then.

“We’ve gone through a lot this year,” Peterson remarked. “It’s made us who we are at this point.” The Mets are clinging to the hope of extending a season filled with unexpected moments, which have included everything from dramatic games to whimsical events like a Grimace sighting.

Lindor emphasized the importance of belief, stating, “If you have no belief, you shouldn’t be here. You gotta believe. You gotta fight for what you want. You gotta fight for it.” From the Mets’ perspective, the season isn’t over yet. They aim to add another chapter to their already wild narrative, which includes unforgettable moments of both triumph and despair.

Inside the clubhouse, players reminisced about past victories, recalling how they were once down to their last out in Milwaukee during the Wild Card Series. However, that was only a couple of weeks ago, and now they face the daunting task of needing to win three consecutive games to advance.

It hasn’t only been the pitching staff that has faced challenges; position players like José Iglesias and Francisco Alvarez have also struggled to make an impact. Brandon Nimmo, dealing with plantar fasciitis, continues to hustle on every ground ball despite his discomfort.

As the Mets confront this pivotal moment in their season, players strive to inspire hope while acknowledging the weight of the challenge ahead. Though the odds may seem stacked against them, the Mets are determined not to be counted out entirely. Their long-held concerns regarding the toll of the season may finally be taking their toll, but the team remains resolute in their fight.

(Top photo of Mets in the dugout: Frank Franklin II / Associated Press)