<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/knicks-news-precious-achiuwa-shows-baseball-colors-shuts-down-yankees');   ga('set', 'title', 'Knicks’ Precious Achiuwa shows true baseball colors, shuts down Yankees question');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Precious-Achiuwa-shows-true-baseball-colors-shuts-down-Yankees-question.jpg"></figure><h1>Knicks’ Precious Achiuwa shows true baseball colors, shuts down Yankees question</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-16T06:16:19-07:00">October 16th, 6:16am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-16T06:16:19-07:00">October 16th, 6:16am</time><address><a href="https://www.downeuclid.com">Evan Dammarell</a>Evan Dammarell is an award-winning sports journalist covering all things Cleveland, including the Cavs, right off the shores of Lake Erie. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>New York Knicks forward Precious Achiuwa caught himself in an awkward moment after the New York Yankees made it two wins against the Cleveland Guardians in the ALCS on Tuesday. After the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/knicks-news-landry-shamet-exits-hornets-game-in-pain-injury">Knicks’ preseason win over</a> the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday, Achiuwa and his teammates answered questions from the media in the locker room. However, the power forward <a href="https://x.com/SNY_Mets/status/1846386464474419260" rel="noopener">was caught off guard when asked</a> about the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/yankees-news-aaron-judge-reacts-guardians-bold-juan-soto-tactic">Yankees ALCS run</a>. Since to Achiuwa, it’s all about the New York Mets.</p><p>“Do you care about the Yankees,” asked a reporter.</p><p>“I’m a Mets fan,” Achiuwa responded.</p><p>“You grew up in the Bronx,” the reporter said.</p><p>“I went to school in the Bronx. I grew up in Queens,” Achiuwa clarified.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Precious Achiuwa was asked about the Yankees. He's a Mets fan.</p><p>"I went to school in the Bronx, I grew up in Queens" <a href="https://t.co/lkf6yHjTAs">pic.twitter.com/lkf6yHjTAs</a></p><p>— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) <a href="https://twitter.com/SNY_Mets/status/1846386464474419260?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Born in Nigeria, Achiuwa moved to the United States after his parents settled in Queens. The 25-year-old went to Our Saviour Lutheran School in New York and played basketball as a freshman at Memphis. Initially drafted by the Miami Heat, after Achiuwa had signed with the Toronto Raptors in 2021, he was traded to the Knicks in 2023.</p><p>Achiuwa played 49 games for the Knicks last season, averaging 7.6 points and 1.1 assists in 24.2 minutes per game. He played 35 minutes in the team’s fourth consecutive preseason win, leading the team with 20 points.</p><h2><b>What’s next for Mets fan, Yankees hater and Knicks forward Precious Achiuwa?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Precious-Achiuwa-Knicks-Preseason.jpg"><figcaption>Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Yankees and Mets share a fierce rivalry, and the two rivals could set up a blockbuster World Series by winning their respective championship series. While everyone knows who Achiuwa will be rooting for, everyone in New York will root for him and the Knicks once the World Series ends. Since the Knicks might be the best in the NBA after the moves they made this offseason.</p><p>Trading for Karl-Anthony Towns made it clear, if it wasn’t abundantly so already, that the Knicks’ brass are pushing all of their chips into the center of the table for this upcoming 2024-25 season. Before that deal, the Knicks had already resigned OG Anunoby to a long-term contract and traded a shocking number of first-round draft picks for Mikal Bridges of the crosstown rival Brooklyn Nets.</p><p>By adding Towns, New York shored up the one true weakness on its roster: its frontcourt depth. This was going to be a significant concern. Mitchell Robinson was expected to miss the opening chunk of the season due to injury. Adding Towns creates more spacing on offense for New York. That allows Jalen Brunson to operate in isolation and within the game’s flow. The Knicks should be explosive this year and can match the championship pedigree their baseball teams carry.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Knicks’ Precious Achiuwa shows true baseball colors, shuts down Yankees question

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mets-news-david-wright-mark-vientos-praise-new-york-fans-dreaming-big');   ga('set', 'title', 'David Wright’s Mark Vientos praise has Mets fans dreaming big');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Mets-news-David-Wrights-massive-Mark-Vientos-praise-will-have-fans-dreaming-big-of-NYs-future.jpg"></figure><h1>David Wright’s Mark Vientos praise has Mets fans dreaming big</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-16T04:35:58-07:00">October 16th, 4:35am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-16T04:35:58-07:00">October 16th, 4:35am</time><address><a>Chris Dodson</a>Chris Dodson is a New Orleans Pelicans beat reporter for ClutchPoints. He has covered Louisiana high school and college basketball in spurts for over a decade. A basketball lifer from the bayou, his gumbo-stirring form matches his elbow jumper celebrations. Fast enough for varsity hoops, tall enough for a soccer scholarship. He has words and will travel, just not on the court.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The MLB Postseason pressure cooker is starting to cause some shakiness in even the most consummate professionals. Infield flies become error-scored singles. Intentional walks become unforgettable slights, as the r<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mets-news-francisco-lindor-gold-glove-finalist-snub">ecently snubbed, Francisco Lindor-led New York Mets</a> reminded the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the NLCS. Specifically, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mets-news-mark-vientos-reaction-nlcs-game-2-grand-slam">Mark Vientos delivered a grand slam</a> sucker punch to square up the series.</p><p>Mets legend David Wright <a href="https://sny.tv/articles/mets-david-wright-praises-emerging-star-mark-vientos" rel="noopener">shared a few clubhouse secrets</a> about Vientos with SNY after the big win.</p><p>“I remember meeting him for the first time in spring training when he was in the minor leagues,” Wright began. “They asked me to go speak to a group of infielders during early work. Mind you, it’s the middle of spring at 7 a.m. He asked if I had extra time after working, speaking with the group to spend with him individually.”</p><p>“We hung out for the next 20 minutes just talking baseball,” continued Wright. “That has always stuck with me. When I watch him play he looks like a 10-year veteran as opposed to a rookie. Nothing fazes him and he doesn’t allow one bad at bat or one error to faze him.”</p><p>The Mets-Dodgers series is all tied up at one game a piece. Game 3 (October 16) will bring the seven-game slugfest to the Big Apple. Vientos is very likely to get a hero’s welcome when walking up for that first NLCS home plate appearance.</p><h2><b>Mets getting good value from Mark Vientos</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Mark-Vientos-celebrates-a-home-run.jpg"><figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Vientos posted a .266/.322/.516 slash line over 413 regular season at-bats. The 24-year-old has a .378 batting average, a .410 on-base percentage, and a .676 slugging percentage with three home runs during this unlikely MLB Playoffs run. That is great value for someone who was demoted during spring training after signing a one-year, $800,000 deal last winter.</p><p>Manager Carlos Mendoza’s Mets<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2024/08/29/mets-mark-vientos-breakout-season/74993190007/" rel="noopener"> would be at a loss</a> with Vientos, per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.</p><p>“He has meant everything to us,’” Mendoza said. “This guy has done such a good job handling adversity. He went through a lot. He went to spring training with a pretty good chance of making the ballclub, and the last week we sign J.D., and he gets the news that he’s going back to the minors.’”</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

David Wright’s Mark Vientos praise has Mets fans dreaming big

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/dodgers-news-walker-buehler-brutally-honest-admission-on-pitching-vs-mets');   ga('set', 'title', 'Dodgers righty Walker Buehler’s brutally honest admission on pitching vs. Mets');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Dodgers-news-Walker-Buehlers-brutally-honest-admission-on-pitching-vs.jpg"></figure><h1>Dodgers righty Walker Buehler’s brutally honest admission on pitching vs. Mets</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-15T18:56:27-07:00">October 15th, 6:56pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-15T19:00:00-07:00">October 15th, 7:00pm</time><address><a>Alex House</a>Alex House is a sports journalist who covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for ClutchPoints. He grew up in a New York sports-heavy region in Connecticut and earned his journalism degree at the University of Rhode Island. His in-depth knowledge of two of the most passionate and raucous fan bases in the country gives him a truly unique writing voice.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Walker Buehler may be a shell of himself these days, but Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is still trusting him with a huge responsibility in <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mets-news-darryl-strawberry-dwight-gooden-new-york-nlcs-first-pitch-plans">Game 3 of the National League Championship Series</a>. It will be the right-handed starting pitcher’s job to silence the New York Mets in front of a wild Citi Field crowd on Wednesday night.</p><p>If he fails this daunting task, it will be quite difficult to slow down the Mets’ momentum. Their offense can be relentless, as the MLB playoffs have repeatedly shown, which could create a disastrous matchup problem for <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/dodgers-news-walker-buehler-admission-frustrations">the shaky Buehler</a>. He combusted in the second inning of his NL Division Series start versus the San Diego Padres, giving up a whopping six runs. The two-time All-Star settled down, but the damage was done. Another implosion could result in a 2-1 series lead for New York.</p><p>Despite the overwhelming pressure facing both him and the Dodgers, Buehler <a href="https://x.com/DodgerInsider/status/1846298531931505070" rel="noopener">is relishing the chance</a> to take the mound in a frenzied postseason atmosphere against one of the most resilient lineups in baseball.</p><p>“I imagine it’s going to be rocking here tomorrow,” he said, per Dodger Insider. “That’s what excites me more than anything is the noise and the excitement. And the kind of live-or-die feeling on every pitch is something I’ve really grown to love.”</p><h2><b>Can Walker Buehler put the Dodgers in position to win Game 3?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Dodgers-SP-Walker-Buehler.jpg"><figcaption>Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>Buehler’s October numbers support his enthusiasm. He has a respectable 3.40 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 16 postseason appearances. Again, though, this is not the same player who dominated hitters during LA’s 2020 World Series run. The 30-year-old has yet to bounce back from 2022 Tommy John surgery, making him one of the more unpredictable starters in the 2024 MLB playoffs.</p><p>Buehler has been more trustworthy in the last few weeks, but withstanding a boisterous reception from Queens requires supreme composure. He will try to make Dodgers fans forget all about the 5.38 ERA he recorded this season and remind them why he was one of the best hurlers in the sport only a few years ago.</p><p>The Walker Buehler comeback tour heads to Queens for its most important test yet. First pitch is set for 8:08 p.m. ET.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Dodgers righty Walker Buehler’s brutally honest admission on pitching vs. Mets

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mets-news-darryl-strawberry-dwight-gooden-new-york-nlcs-first-pitch-plans');   ga('set', 'title', 'Darryl Strawberry, Dwight Gooden highlight New York’s NLCS first pitch plans');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Mets-news-Darryl-Strawberry-Dwight-Gooden-highlight-New-Yorks-NLCS-first-pitch-plans.jpg"></figure><h1>Darryl Strawberry, Dwight Gooden highlight New York’s NLCS first pitch plans</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-15T18:35:35-07:00">October 15th, 6:35pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-15T18:36:11-07:00">October 15th, 6:36pm</time><address><a>Russell Steinberg</a>Russell Steinberg covers Major League Baseball and the New York Liberty for ClutchPoints. A baseball and basketball lifer, he has written for Boardroom, SLAM, SB Nation, The Next, and more. He graduated from NYU in 2012 and still returns to serve as PA announcer and occasional broadcaster for the school’s basketball and volleyball teams.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/dodgers-news-shohei-ohtani-dishes-franciso-lindor-connection-nlcs"> New York Mets</a> are back in the National League Championship Series for the first time since 2015, and some of the biggest stars in franchise history will be on-hand at Citi Field to take part in the festivities.</p><p>New Yor announced its <a href="https://x.com/AnthonyDiComo/status/1846314911858655446" rel="noopener">first pitch plans</a> on Tuesday for their three home games during the series. Each game will celebrate a different era of Mets success, starting with their 1986 World Series title team.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mets-legend-daryl-strawberry-posts-gracious-message-after-surviving-heart-attack">Darryl Strawberry</a> will toss out the opening ball to Dwight Gooden before Game 3. Both were All-Stars for the Mets in their 1986 World Series championship season and have stayed involved in the organization in the years since they retired.</p><p>Game 4 will feature a nod to the 2000 Mets team that reached the World Series, falling to the New York Yankees in a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/yankees-news-aaron-mets-world-series-matchup">Subway Series Fall Classic</a>. Robin Ventura, the starting third baseman on that team, will throw the first pitch to Edgardo Alfonso, the 2000 team’s second baseman.</p><p>Game 5, naturally, will continue the celebration in chronological order, bringing fans back to the Mets’ most recent World Series appearance in 2015. One-time pitching sensation Matt Harvey will throw the first pitch to fan-favorite Yoenis Cespedes.</p><p>If the Mets are going for vibes at Citi Field, their first pitch selections couldn’t possibly be better. The NLCS between New York and Los Angeles Dodgers is currently tied at one game apiece.</p><h2><b>Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry remain the heartbeat of the Mets</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Dwight-Gooden.jpg"><figcaption>Brad Penner-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Gooden and Strawberry weren’t career Mets, but they represent the glory years of the franchise’s most recent championship. Therefore, it’s only fitting that the two of them will get the Citi Field portion of the NLCS started.</p><p>The Mets retired Gooden’s No. 16 earlier this season and have brought him out for a slew of big events throughout his retirement — including the final game at the old Shea Stadium and first game at Citi Field. Gooden has also remained outspoken about his Mets opinions, saying just last week that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mets-news-francisco-lindor-mvp-take-david-stearns">Francisco Lindor</a> should be the next Mets captain and that New York deserves another Subway Series in the World Series.</p><p>And just days after the Mets retired Gooden’s number, they <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mets-news-darryl-strawberrys-passionate-message-to-mets-fans-amid-jersey-retirement">did the same for Strawberry</a>. During the ceremony, he even apologized for signing with the Dodgers, calling it “the greatest mistake I ever made.” Notably, he didn’t say the same about signing with the rival Yankees, where he won three World Series.</p><p>Game 3 between the Mets and Dodgers is set for 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Darryl Strawberry, Dwight Gooden highlight New York’s NLCS first pitch plans

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mets-news-francisco-lindor-gold-glove-finalist-snub');   ga('set', 'title', 'Mets’ Francisco Lindor responds to Gold Glove finalist snub');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Francisco-Lindor-responds-to-Gold-Glove-finalist-snub.jpg"></figure><h1>Mets’ Francisco Lindor responds to Gold Glove finalist snub</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-15T16:31:02-07:00">October 15th, 4:31pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-15T16:31:02-07:00">October 15th, 4:31pm</time><address><a href="https://www.facebook.com/joey.mistretta/" rel="facebook">Joey Mistretta</a>Joey Mistretta is a Dallas Mavericks beat reporter, Dallas Wings beat reporter and lead MLB editor for ClutchPoints. He is originally from Lake Arrowhead, California. Mistretta graduated from Biola University with a degree in broadcast journalism.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>New York Mets star Francisco Lindor is an MVP candidate. He will not win the award since <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/dodgers-news-shohei-ohtani-honest-admission-50-50-chase-bonkers-dodgers-win">Shohei Ohtani enjoyed a historic season</a>, but Lindor still had a quality campaign. Lindor is one of the best defensive shortstops in baseball as well, yet he surprisingly did not finish as a National League Gold Glove finalist.</p><p>According to Rawlings Baseball, Masyn Winn, Dansby Swanson and Ezequiel Tovar <a href="https://x.com/RawlingsSports/status/1846203144788742223" rel="noopener">finished as</a> the Gold Glove Finalists for shortstop in the NL. So what does Lindor think of the snub?</p><p>“I thought that… Let me see how I can put this one,” Lindor <a href="https://x.com/SNYtv/status/1846305750089429231" rel="noopener">said Tuesday</a>, via SNY. “I had a good defensive year, but I guess there’s other players that had a better defensive year than me. That was it. At the end of the day, I’m trying to win a World Series… I’m trying to make it to the World Series and then win it.”</p><h2><b>Francisco Lindor and Mets have World Series aspirations</b></h2><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mets-news-francisco-lindor-take-mark-vientos-game-2-heroics">Mets are currently playing the Los Angeles Dodgers</a> in the National League Championship Series. The shortstop is trying to lead New York to the Fall Classic. Lindor has experience in doing so, having led the Cleveland Guardians (formerly Cleveland Indians) to the 2016 World Series.</p><p>Cleveland held a 3-1 lead over the Chicago Cubs before surrendering the advantage and losing in seven games. It was a heartbreaking defeat for Francisco Lindor and the team.</p><p>Lindor wants to win his first championship this year. Overcoming the Dodgers will prove to be a challenge. If the Mets are able to book their ticket to the Fall Classic, there is a chance that Lindor will play against his former team. The Guardians are currently battling the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series, but New York holds a 1-0 series lead as of this story’s writing.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Mets’ Francisco Lindor responds to Gold Glove finalist snub

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mets-news-new-york-makes-decision-on-kodai-senga-after-game-2-win-vs-dodgers');   ga('set', 'title', 'Mets make ‘decision’ on Kodai Senga after Game 2 win vs. Dodgers');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/New-York-makes-decision-on-Kodai-Senga-after-Game-2-win-vs.-Dodgers.jpg"></figure><h1>Mets make ‘decision’ on Kodai Senga after Game 2 win vs. Dodgers</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-14T20:02:15-07:00">October 14th, 8:02pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-14T20:02:15-07:00">October 14th, 8:02pm</time><address><a href="https://letterboxd.com/splooshpuhrty/films/by/your-rating/">Jedd Pagaduan</a>Jedd Pagaduan is a certified Clippers and Gunners fan, which means he's a very sports-traumatized individual. He now writes about sports instead as a form of therapy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Game 1 of the NLCS got away from the New York Mets in a hurry. It became apparent rather quickly that Kodai Senga did not have the stuff to get through the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup, as he was very much unable to throw strikes. He lasted for just 1.1 innings, allowing three earned runs on two hits and four walks as the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mets-news-mets-kodai-senga-100-percent-real-game-1-debacle-vs-dodgers">Dodgers went on</a> to take a dominant 9-0 win.</p><p>It’s unclear at the moment when Senga would pitch again for the Mets in the playoffs, or if he even would, especially considering the way he struggled in Game 1 against the Dodgers. There have even been some clamors for the Mets to take Senga off the roster, as he did not look right at all on Sunday night after he threw just 10 of his 30 pitches for strikes.</p><p>Regardless, according to Andy Martino of SNY, the Mets <a href="https://sny.tv/articles/mets-no-momentum-remove-kodai-senga-nlcs-roster" rel="noopener">have no plans</a> whatsoever to remove Senga off their NLCS roster. In fact, following their 7-3 Game 2 win over the Dodgers, “Mets officials said they consider Senga a healthy player, and aren’t discussing removing him from the roster because of injury.”</p><h2><b>Will Kodai Senga pitch for the Mets again in the NLCS?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Kodai-Senga-1.jpg"></figure><p>With a trip to the World Series on the line, the Mets will be throwing the kitchen sink at the Dodgers to try and be the team that stands tall above the rest come the end of the season. But with the NLCS still in its early days, there is no urgency for the Mets to make a decision regarding <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mets-news-kodai-senga-brutal-start-shohei-ohtani-nlcs-game-2">Kodai Senga’s roster status</a>.</p><p>If Senga were to pitch again for the Mets in the NLCS, it would likely be in a pivotal Game 5, although he may need an extra day or two of rest following his nightmare Game 1 start. But by then, will the Mets trust him enough to give him the ball in a potential Game 6 or 7?</p><p>Senga did not last very long when he started for the Mets in their Game 1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS. (He pitched just 2.0 innings.) At best, he’s functioning as an opener of sorts for the Mets, and that may be his likely role moving forward with his leash becoming shorter and shorter the deeper they go into the playoffs.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Mets make ‘decision’ on Kodai Senga after Game 2 win vs. Dodgers

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mets-news-francisco-lindor-take-mark-vientos-game-2-heroics');   ga('set', 'title', 'Francisco Lindor shares honest take on Mark Vientos’ Game 2 heroics');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Francisco-Lindor-shares-honest-take-on-Mark-Vientos-Game-2-heroics.jpg"></figure><h1>Francisco Lindor shares honest take on Mark Vientos’ Game 2 heroics</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-14T19:51:53-07:00">October 14th, 7:51pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-14T19:51:53-07:00">October 14th, 7:51pm</time><address><a>Russell Steinberg</a>Russell Steinberg covers Major League Baseball and the New York Liberty for ClutchPoints. A baseball and basketball lifer, he has written for Boardroom, SLAM, SB Nation, The Next, and more. He graduated from NYU in 2012 and still returns to serve as PA announcer and occasional broadcaster for the school’s basketball and volleyball teams.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mets-news-mark-vientos-reaction-nlcs-game-2-grand-slam">Mark Vientos took it personally</a> when the Los Angeles Dodgers walked <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mets-news-francisco-lindor-snaps-dodgers-streak">Francisco Lindor</a> to face him in the New York <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/dodgers-news-dave-roberts-makes-striking-admission-after-game-2-loss-to-mets">Mets’ NLCS Game 2 victory</a> on Monday.</p><p>As for Lindor, he’s not surprised that Vientos made the Dodgers pay.</p><p>Already down 1-0, the Dodgers elected to walk Lindor and load the bases in the top of the second inning, bringing up Vientos. The Mets third baseman has made a habit of getting big hits in the postseason, and he did it again on Monday, swatting a grand slam to put New York up 6-0.</p><p>“I’m super proud that he stayed within himself and he was able to execute the game plan,” Lindor said <a href="https://x.com/SNYtv/status/1845977719839879606" rel="noopener">of his teammate</a>.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">"I'm super proud that he stayed within himself and he was able to execute his game plan."</p><p>Francisco Lindor on Mark Vientos' grand slam: <a href="https://t.co/668R514lX0">pic.twitter.com/668R514lX0</a></p><p>— SNY (@SNYtv) <a href="https://twitter.com/SNYtv/status/1845977719839879606?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Asked what has allowed Vientos to emerge in the postseason, Lindor continued to heap praise on the 24-year-old infielder.</p><p>“He’s a really good player, No. 1, and No. 2, he understands that he’s not bigger than the moment,” Lindor explained. “He’s gotta be part of the moment. And he’s going out there, and he’s embracing every second he gets, every opportunity, and he’s having a good time. He’s enjoying the ride.”</p><p>The Mets held on to win the game 7-3, evening the NLCS at 1-1 as the series shifts east.</p><h2><b>Mets manager Carlos Mendoza lauded Mark Vientos’ approach</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Mark-Vientos_d4a42f.jpg"><figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Mets manager Carlos Mendoza had a similar reaction to Lindor when asked about Vientos. While Lindor praised Vientos for embracing the moment rather than becoming it, Mendoza noticed how his No. 2 hitter <a href="https://x.com/SNYtv/status/1845977792464212313" rel="noopener">sticks to the fundamentals</a> — no matter the situation.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Carlos Mendoza says it hasn't really surprised him how Mark Vientos has been able to perform in the postseason:</p><p>"The power is real" <a href="https://t.co/BlKl2n8AUB">pic.twitter.com/BlKl2n8AUB</a></p><p>— SNY (@SNYtv) <a href="https://twitter.com/SNYtv/status/1845977792464212313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“His ability to slow the game down, you can see him calm, under control,” Mendoza told the media. “He took pretty good breaking balls down and away, and then just having the awareness of the situation and what the pitcher’s trying to do to him, and 3-2, not trying to do too much, staying on the big part of the field…the power’s real.”</p><p>Even after Vientos’ grand slam, he didn’t get greedy. He approached the rest of the game the same way, according to Mendoza.</p><p>“Then you see the next at bat against a lefty, just going the other way with ease,” Mendoza said. “That’s the sign of not only a good hitter, but someone who is mature and under control. It doesn’t matter the situation.”</p><p>After hitting 27 home runs in the regular season, Vientos has stayed consistent in October. He’s hitting .378 in the postseason so far, providing Lindor with valuable protection at the top of the lineup.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Francisco Lindor shares honest take on Mark Vientos’ Game 2 heroics

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mets-news-mark-vientos-reaction-nlcs-game-2-grand-slam');   ga('set', 'title', 'Mark Vientos’ immediate reaction to NLCS Game 2 grand slam');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Mark-Vientos-immediate-reaction-to-NLCS-Game-2-grand-slam.jpg"></figure><h1>Mark Vientos’ immediate reaction to NLCS Game 2 grand slam</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-14T18:08:50-07:00">October 14th, 6:08pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-14T18:08:50-07:00">October 14th, 6:08pm</time><address><a>Russell Steinberg</a>Russell Steinberg covers Major League Baseball and the New York Liberty for ClutchPoints. A baseball and basketball lifer, he has written for Boardroom, SLAM, SB Nation, The Next, and more. He graduated from NYU in 2012 and still returns to serve as PA announcer and occasional broadcaster for the school’s basketball and volleyball teams.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>If the New York Mets have runners on second and third with <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mets-news-francisco-lindor-snaps-dodgers-streak">Francisco Lindor</a> coming to the plate, it makes sense to walk him. The shortstop had an <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mets-news-francisco-lindor-mvp-take-david-stearns">MVP-caliber season</a> and was the heartbeat of a team that seems to have some magical aura around it.</p><p>But if you’d rather pitch to Mets postseason hero Mark Vientos, he’s going to take notice.</p><p>Vientos came to the plate in the second inning on Monday in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers under those exact circumstances. The gamble didn’t pay off for pitcher Landon Knack, who gave up a grand slam to Vientos to extend the Dodgers’ deficit to 6-0.</p><p>A day after the Dodgers’ pitching staff tied the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/dodgers-news-tie-eye-popping-postseason-record-1966-humbling-mets">MLB postseason record</a> for consecutive scoreless innings, the Mets were threatening to blow their opponents out less than an hour into the game. Though the Dodgers eventually put up three runs of their own, the Mets coasted to a 7-3 win to even the best-of-seven series at 1-1.</p><p>“To be honest with you I took it personal,” Vientos told FOX’s Tom Verducci in an <a href="https://x.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1845974073941098702" rel="noopener">on-field interview</a> after the game. “You want me up to the plate, I’m gonna try to drive in a run. Honestly I was trying to simplify the game, I wasn’t trying to do too much but I did take it personal.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">"To be honest with you, I took it personal."</p><p>Mark Vientos talks with Tom Verducci about the grand slam after the Mets 7-3 win to even up the series <a href="https://t.co/KeJ7QLov7h">pic.twitter.com/KeJ7QLov7h</a></p><p>— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1845973084412461424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><h2><b>Mark Vientos has been the Mets’ postseason savior</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Mark-Vientos-Mets.jpg"><figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>October is known for producing unexpected heroes. Vientos didn’t exactly come from out of nowhere, but he also wasn’t at the top of the list of potential Mets postseason leaders. The third-year infielder hit .266 with 27 home runs in the regular season, but has transformed into Mr. Clutch over the last couple weeks.</p><p>It started with a go-ahead two-run RBI single in the fist game of the Mets’ NL Wild Card Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Then, in the Division Series against their rival Philadelphia Phillies, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mets-news-mark-vientos-joins-carlos-correa-manny-ramirez-mlb-history-game-2-feat">Vientos had a two-homer Game 2</a>. Even in a losing effort, he made his presence known by opening the scoring with a two-run shot, then tying the game with another two-run homer in the top of the 9th inning.</p><p>It all adds up to Vientos hitting .378 over his fist nine postseason games. Just as importantly, if Vientos keeps hitting like this, he is going to force other teams to give Lindor better pitches to hit. With the series now shifting across the country to Queens, the top of the Mets’ order seems ready to put immediate pressure on Dodgers pitching.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Mark Vientos’ immediate reaction to NLCS Game 2 grand slam

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/dodgers-news-snake-slithers-into-dugout-nlcs-game-2');   ga('set', 'title', 'Snake slithers into Dodgers’ dugout during NLCS Game 2');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Snake-slithers-into-LAs-dugout-during-NLCS-Game-2.jpg"></figure><h1>Snake slithers into Dodgers’ dugout during NLCS Game 2</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-14T16:27:19-07:00">October 14th, 4:27pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-14T16:32:06-07:00">October 14th, 4:32pm</time><address><a>Mike Gianakos</a>Mike Gianakos is the former editor-in-chief of High Times magazine, where he also spearheaded the video department and event production. He is a longtime podcaster and even longer suffering NY Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Los Angeles Dodgers took Game 1 of the NLCS by a score of 9-0. With the victory, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/dodgers-news-tie-eye-popping-postseason-record-1966-humbling-mets">Dodgers tied a postseason record</a> with 33 scoreless innings. It was LA’s third straight shutout win as the team eliminated the San Diego Padres and jumped out to a lead in the Championship Series against the New York Mets.</p><p>Game 2 of the NLCS contained quite the surprise for Los Angeles. Despite the Diamondbacks long since eliminated from postseason contention, a snake <a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2024/2024-10/14/b0d478f0-d5b6b9af-ef3c4696-csvm-diamondgcp-asset_1280x720_59_16000K.mp4" rel="noopener">could be seen</a> at Dodger Stadium, per MLB.com. The slithery invader was making its way across the dugout steps when Dodgers’ players noticed the unwanted guest. LA reliever Brent Honeywell had kept the Mets in check during the top of the fifth inning but as he made his way to the dugout he was caught off guard by a small snake crossing his path.</p><p>Honeywell simply pointed at the scaly visitor and the team waited for a clubhouse attendant to wrap the serpent up in a towel and remove him from the vicinity.</p><h2><b>Were Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers snakebit in Game 2?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Shohei-Ohtani_5b4235.jpg"><figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>With the Dodgers losing 6-0 at the time, perhaps the team should have leaned into the intruder. Rally snake? After a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mets-news-mets-kodai-senga-100-percent-real-game-1-debacle-vs-dodgers">disastrous Game 1 start by Kodai Senga</a> and a complete lack of offense by New York, the Mets’ bats came alive early on Monday. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mets-news-francisco-lindor-snaps-dodgers-streak">Francisco Lindor snapped the Dodgers 33-inning scoreless streak</a> and New York put up five runs in the second inning.</p><p>However, since the snake appeared, the Dodgers have kept New York off the scoreboard and plated three runs, making it a 6-3 contest in the top of the ninth inning. The Mets are hoping to close out the game and even the series at 1-1 before heading back to New York for Game 3.</p><p>While it’s certainly not something you see every day, the LA snake isn’t the first unusual animal to interrupt a baseball game. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/athletics-news-oakland-broadcast-booth-possum">Oakland Athletics famously had possums</a> living in the stadium’s broadcast booth. The A’s left Oakland and the possums behind as the team <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/athletics-news-1-5-billion-las-vegas-stadium-proposal-shocking-update">prepares for a move to Las Vegas</a>. If they manage a comeback against the Mets in Game 2, maybe the Dodgers will embrace the snake.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Snake slithers into Dodgers’ dugout during NLCS Game 2

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mets-news-francisco-lindor-snaps-dodgers-streak');   ga('set', 'title', 'Mets’ Francisco Lindor snaps Dodgers’ wild 33-inning streak');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Mets-news-Francisco-Lindor-snaps-Dodgers-wild-33-inning-streak.jpg"></figure><h1>Mets’ Francisco Lindor snaps Dodgers’ wild 33-inning streak</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-14T13:41:19-07:00">October 14th, 1:41pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-14T14:04:36-07:00">October 14th, 2:04pm</time><address><a>Troy Finnegan</a>Troy Finnegan is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2023 with a degree in journalism and minors in communications and sports media, as well as a critical sports studies certificate. He has had a passion for sports his entire life, and enjoys covering and writing about all sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Dodgers came into Game 2 of the NLCS on an insane pitching streak. Using a variety of starting and bullpen arms, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/dodgers-news-tie-eye-popping-postseason-record-1966-humbling-mets">Dodgers had held opponents scoreless for the last 33 innings</a>, which was <a href="https://x.com/BNightengale/status/1845921531823833485" rel="noopener">tied for a postseason record</a>, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Unfortunately for them, Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor was in no mood to see any history made on Monday.</p><p>Lindor ended the streak with one swing of the bat, crushing a leadoff home run to right field in the top of the first inning to put the Mets up 1-0.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="es">LEADOFF LINDOR LASER 💥 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NLCS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NLCS</a> <a href="https://t.co/nDvDghuYti">pic.twitter.com/nDvDghuYti</a></p><p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1845920922546389354?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>The streak dated back to the middle of Game 3 of the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/padres-news-manny-machado-gets-100-real-heartbreaking-loss-dodgers">Dodgers’ NLDS series with the San Diego Padres</a>, which they trailed two games to one before coming back to win. The 33-inning shutout streak sits atop the record books along with the 1966 Baltimore Orioles for the longest in playoff history.</p><p>The Dodgers’ streak was heroic while it lasted, as they completely shut down the San Diego Padres’ star-studded lineup in the final two games of their series before jumping out to a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/dodgers-news-dave-roberts-drops-blunt-response-to-jack-flahertys-game-1-gem-vs-mets">Game 1 blowout of the Mets</a>.</p><p>On the New York side, Lindor continues a stellar postseason where he has been on fire, coming up big in clutch moments time and time again. After his two-run home run against the Braves in game 161 clinched a playoff spot for Carlos Mendoza and the Mets, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mets-news-francisco-lindor-breaks-internet-dagger-phillies">Lindor crushed a grand slam late in Game 4</a> against the Philadelphia Phillies to give them a lead that they would not relinquish.</p><p>Lindor’s Game 2 homer is his second of the postseason and his fifth extra base hit. He now has seven RBI’s to go with seven walks in these playoffs.</p><p>The leadoff homer gave the Mets plenty of confidence to work with in Game 2, which they capitalized on to jump out to a big lead. In the top of the second inning, Mark Vientos slugged a grand slam to extend the New York lead to 6-0.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Mets’ Francisco Lindor snaps Dodgers’ wild 33-inning streak

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/yankees-news-ny-mets-huge-rick-pitino-endorsements-playoff-runs');   ga('set', 'title', 'Yankees, Mets get huge Rick Pitino endorsements amid playoff runs');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Yankees-news-NY-Mets-get-huge-Rick-Pitino-endorsements-amid-playoff-runs.jpg"></figure><h1>Yankees, Mets get huge Rick Pitino endorsements amid playoff runs</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-14T11:11:00-07:00">October 14th, 11:11am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-14T11:11:00-07:00">October 14th, 11:11am</time><address><a>Christopher Hennessy</a>Christopher Hennessy graduated with a journalism degree from Fordham University in 2022. He has also worked at Spectrum News One in Albany, New York and with The Hockey Writers as a New York Islanders writer. Chris is originally from Connecticut and is a lifelong New York Yankees, Islanders, and Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The New York Yankees and New York Mets are<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/yankees-news-aaron-mets-world-series-matchup"> both in their respective League Championship Series</a>. The 2000 World Series is the only Subway Series between the teams and the last time they were both in the LCS. New York is on fire with the possibility of another Big Apple battle, <a href="https://x.com/realpitino/status/1845876598081204723?s=46&amp;t=YAm5wwmcnC6J27chz4RDIQ" rel="noopener">and that</a> includes St. John’s basketball coach Rick Pitino.</p><p>“Need some good fortune in this American League series,” Pitino posted on social media. “Breaking out the #5 jersey to bring us luck. Judge gets hot!!! Let’s get a Met win also. Need that subway series for the greatest city in the World.”</p><p>Pitino is a local, born in New York City and raised on Long Island, and is back coaching the city’s college hoops team. His most recent stop before St John’s was Iona College in New Rochelle. That campus is 14 miles north of Yankee Stadium in Westchester County. Now he is in Queens and is pulling for both ball clubs this October.</p><p>This post on X, formerly Twitter, came before one of the biggest days in recent New York sports history. The Mets kick it off at 4:00 in Game 2 of the NLCS. The Yankees and Guardians begin at 7:30 and the Jets have a massive Monday Night Football game against the Bills at 8:25.</p><h2>The Yankees and Mets can turn New York sports woes around</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024-subway-series.jpg"><figcaption>Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Expectations are high in New York. That has always been the case and will always be the case. The reality is that a Big 4 New York team has not won a championship since February of 2011. Now, they have a great chance to have a baseball team in the World Series for the first time since 2015.</p><p>At the same time as all of this baseball and football craziness, the Liberty are in the WNBA Final. They t<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/liberty-news-new-york-closed-out-lynx-game-2-wnba-finals">ook Game 2 at the Barclays Center</a> to tie the best-of-five series. Pitino is turning around the Red Storm and looks to get them back to the tournament this season. And the Knicks are fresh off another playoff series victory.</p><p>For years, the Jets and the Giants were finished by October, the Yankees lost before the World Series, and the Mets did not play in October. There are many reasons for these turnarounds but the biggest one is Steve Cohen. He took a desolate roster and turned it around by spending over $1 billion in player salary over the last three years.</p><p>Sunday was not a great start to the New York sports weekend as the Mets and Giants lost. Rick Pitino and his Joe DiMaggio jersey hope to turn the luck around.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Yankees, Mets get huge Rick Pitino endorsements amid playoff runs

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mets-news-brandon-nimmo-defiant-nlcs-vow-painful-plantar-fasciitis-injury');   ga('set', 'title', 'Mets’ Brandon Nimmo makes defiant NLCS vow amid painful plantar fasciitis injury');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Mets-news-Brandon-Nimmo-makes-defiant-NLCS-vow-amid-painful-plantar-fasciitis-injury.jpg"></figure><h1>Mets’ Brandon Nimmo makes defiant NLCS vow amid painful plantar fasciitis injury</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-14T06:42:35-07:00">October 14th, 6:42am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-14T06:42:35-07:00">October 14th, 6:42am</time><address><a>Christopher Hennessy</a>Christopher Hennessy graduated with a journalism degree from Fordham University in 2022. He has also worked at Spectrum News One in Albany, New York and with The Hockey Writers as a New York Islanders writer. Chris is originally from Connecticut and is a lifelong New York Yankees, Islanders, and Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The New York Mets lost <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mets-news-manager-carlos-mendoza-brutally-honest-kodai-senga-after-loss-dodgers">Game 1 of the NLCS in a 9-0 blowout</a>. They have a tough matchup with the Los Angeles Dodgers and must win four of their next six games to win the pennant. Outfielder Brandon Nimmo has been key to the Amazin’s success all season long. Now, The Athletic’s Tim Britton has reported that Nimmo <a href="https://x.com/TimBritton/status/1845688873596162315" rel="noopener">is dealing</a> with a plantar fascia injury. The veteran <a href="https://x.com/JonHeyman/status/1845812675118555204" rel="noopener">spoke with</a> New York Post columnist Jon Heyman about the injury.</p><p>“Brandon Nimmo vows to keep playing despite battling plantar fasciitis in left foot. ‘It is very uncomfortable, but you do what you have to do for the playoffs!’ Nimmo texted. Tim Britton 1st mentioned ailment,’ Heyman posted on social media.</p><p>Game 1 was a disaster for everyone in orange and blue, Nimmo included. He started the game in left field and went 0-3 before being pinch-hit for in the ninth inning. Britton reported that the issue has been nagging him since May, which is good news for Mets fans.</p><p>Nimmo has been solid for the Mets this postseason. He is 7-29 with six runs and four RBIs so far in October and is one of the reasons they are here in the first place. His big home run in Game 161 in Atlanta gets overshadowed by Francisco Lindor’s, but it was just as important.</p><h2><b>Mets outlook for the NLCS</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Brandon-Nimmo-with-NY-Mets.jpg"><figcaption>Brad Penner-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Game 1 was not the ideal start for the Mets, as they did not scratch a run across against Jack Flaherty. The good news is that the Dodgers only have three starters left that they can use. They are likely to go with a bullpen game in Game 2, which worked well against the Padres. But there is no better team against bullpens than the Mets.</p><p>Kodai Senga had a miserable start, throwing just ten strikes on 30 pitches and not making it through the second inning. It was only his third start of the year as he recovered from a cavalcade of injuries. The pitching matchups favor the Mets in the next two games, as Sean Manaea and Luis Severino have been spectacular this October. Walker Buehler will likely pitch Game 3 and has been brutal this season.</p><p>The Mets are in a must-win game in Game 2, as they can bring the series back to New York tied. Citi Field has been rocking all postseason and lifted their team to<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mets-news-carlos-mendoza-reaction-nlds-win-sums-wild-ride"> two wins against the Phillies</a>. The entire series can change on Monday afternoon in Game 2.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Mets’ Brandon Nimmo makes defiant NLCS vow amid painful plantar fasciitis injury

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/dodgers-news-dodgers-mookie-betts-game-1-win-vs-mets-bold-world-series-take');   ga('set', 'title', 'Dodgers’ Mookie Betts follows up Game 1 win vs. Mets with bold World Series take');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Dodgers-news-Mookie-Betts-follows-up-Game-1-win-vs.jpg"></figure><h1>Dodgers’ Mookie Betts follows up Game 1 win vs. Mets with bold World Series take</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-13T23:36:40-07:00">October 13th, 11:36pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-13T23:36:40-07:00">October 13th, 11:36pm</time><address><a>Brayden Haena</a>Brayden Haena is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. A die-hard San Francisco Giants fan and a football fanatic, Brayden further channels his baseball enthusiasm through his podcast, where he delves into the latest in sports with engaging commentary. He also serves as the Defensive Coordinator for Heritage High School. His commitment to sports journalism is evident in his diverse experiences with ContraCosta.news and his dedication to delivering compelling and insightful content.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Following a decisive victory over the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mets-news-mets-kodai-senga-100-percent-real-game-1-debacle-vs-dodgers">New York Mets in Game 1 of the NLCS, Los Angeles Dodgers</a> right fielder Mookie Betts didn’t hesitate to set the tone for his team’s postseason aspirations. Known not only for his prowess on the field but also for his leadership, Betts made a bold declaration about the Dodgers’ ultimate goal this season.</p><p>“We’re going to win the World Series. That’s our mindset,” Betts stated in an interview with Fair Territory on X, formerly Twitter.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mookie Betts: “We’re going to win the World Series. That's our mindset.”</p><p>(Via: <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MLBONFOX</a>)<br> <a href="https://t.co/x8itkmiptG">pic.twitter.com/x8itkmiptG</a></p><p>— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/FoulTerritoryTV/status/1845672655313060066?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>This confident proclamation comes after the Dodgers showcased a commanding performance to take an early lead in the series against the Mets. The team’s display of dominance on both sides of the ball, coupled with strategic pitching and explosive batting, underpinned by Betts’ own contributions, highlighted why they are considered one of the favorites to win it all.</p><p>Betts’ assertion is not just about bolstering team morale—it’s a reflection of the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/dodgers-news-tie-eye-popping-postseason-record-1966-humbling-mets">high standards the Dodgers hold themselves to</a>. The statement follows what has been a pattern of strong postseason performances by the Dodgers, who are looking to capture their second World Series title in three years. With Betts at the helm, the team’s resolve seems stronger than ever.</p><h2><b>Dodgers blowout Mets in Game 1</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Mookie-Betts.jpg"><figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Dodgers’ road to the World Series is paved with challenges, including a potentially tough series against the Mets, known for their robust lineup and deep pitching staff. However, Betts and the Dodgers seem undeterred. In the past, Betts has been a catalyst for his team’s success, delivering in clutch moments and providing both offensive firepower and stellar defense.</p><p>Betts’ leadership is also crucial off the field. His confidence can inspire younger players and rally veterans, creating a cohesive unit driven towards a common goal. His experience, having been a key part of the 2020 World Series-winning* squad and his years with the Boston Red Sox, brings an invaluable perspective to the high-pressure environment of October baseball.</p><p>Looking ahead, the Dodgers must maintain their focus and consistency. Betts’ statement sets a clear expectation within the clubhouse and to their fanbase: the World Series is within reach, and settling for less is not an option. The team’s performance in Game 1 is a testament to their capability, but baseball’s postseason is notoriously unpredictable.</p><p>As the series progresses, all eyes will be on Betts and his teammates to see if they can deliver on this bold prediction. If history and Betts’ track record are indicators, the Dodgers are well-positioned to make a deep run. The combination of skill, experience, and now, an openly declared goal, makes the Dodgers not just participants in the postseason but formidable contenders for the championship title.</p><p>As the NLCS unfolds, Betts’ bold take might just be the catalyst that propels the Dodgers to live up to their high expectations, making every game a critical step towards fulfilling their World Series aspiration.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Dodgers’ Mookie Betts follows up Game 1 win vs. Mets with bold World Series take

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mets-news-mets-kodai-senga-100-percent-real-game-1-debacle-vs-dodgers');   ga('set', 'title', 'Mets’ Kodai Senga gets 100% real about Game 1 debacle vs. Dodgers');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Mets-news-Kodai-Senga-gets-100-real-about-Game-1-debacle-vs.-Dodgers.jpg"></figure><h1>Mets’ Kodai Senga gets 100% real about Game 1 debacle vs. Dodgers</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-13T22:24:26-07:00">October 13th, 10:24pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-13T22:24:26-07:00">October 13th, 10:24pm</time><address><a>Brayden Haena</a>Brayden Haena is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. A die-hard San Francisco Giants fan and a football fanatic, Brayden further channels his baseball enthusiasm through his podcast, where he delves into the latest in sports with engaging commentary. He also serves as the Defensive Coordinator for Heritage High School. His commitment to sports journalism is evident in his diverse experiences with ContraCosta.news and his dedication to delivering compelling and insightful content.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>After a challenging start in <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mets-news-manager-carlos-mendoza-brutally-honest-kodai-senga-after-loss-dodgers">Game 1 of the NLCS, New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga</a> faced the media with frustration and determination. The right-hander, known for his electric fastball and devastating splitter, struggled to find his rhythm against a formidable Los Angeles Dodgers lineup, leading to an early exit that <a href="https://x.com/SNYtv/status/1845678578383610232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1845678578383610232%7Ctwgr%5Ee73f6418d73c0672482aceb9aa288daf9d8a6d61%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwp.clutchpoints.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost-new.php" rel="noopener">set the tone</a> for the rest of the game.</p><p>“Obviously, I’m frustrated and disappointed, but again, I need to keep making adjustments. The team’s got a game tomorrow, so we’ve just got to keep winning games,” Senga said via SNYtv on X, formerly Twitter, visibly upset yet focused on the path forward.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">"Obviously, I'm frustrated and disappointed, but again, I need to keep making adjustments. The team's got a game tomorrow, so we've just got to keep winning games."</p><p>– Kodai Senga <a href="https://t.co/xw8GhbZ7Kj">pic.twitter.com/xw8GhbZ7Kj</a></p><p>— SNY (@SNYtv) <a href="https://twitter.com/SNYtv/status/1845678578383610232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>The game unfolded unfavorably for Senga, who couldn’t manage to deceive the Dodgers hitters as they adjusted quickly to his pitches. His usually effective splitter lacked its characteristic bite, leading to it being recognized early by hitters and left untouched. The fastball, which typically sets up his other pitches, failed to establish dominance, leaving Senga without his best weapons functioning as needed.</p><h2><b>Kodai Senga struggles in Game 1</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Kodai-Senga_526010.jpg"><figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>This off night came at a critical moment, with the Mets aiming to start the series on a strong note. Instead, they found themselves trying to manage a game that slipped away early, largely due to the struggles on the mound. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/dodgers-news-tie-eye-popping-postseason-record-1966-humbling-mets">The Dodgers capitalized on every mistake</a>, pushing across runs early and often, putting the game out of reach and setting a daunting tone for the series.</p><p>Despite the personal and team setback, Senga’s comments after the game reflected a player who understands the volatility of postseason baseball and the importance of short-term memory. His commitment to adjustment and focus on the team’s immediate future speaks to his resilience and maturity as a pitcher on one of baseball’s biggest stages.</p><p>For the Mets, the strategy moving forward will involve careful consideration of how best to use Senga, should they continue deeper into the postseason. The coaching staff, along with Senga, will need to analyze what went wrong and how he can adjust to avoid a repeat performance. This could involve tweaking his pitch selection, working on the mechanics of his splitter, or finding ways to mentally reset after tough outings.</p><p>The rest of the Mets roster will also need to rally. The beauty of baseball, particularly in a series format, is the opportunity for redemption and the ability for one game to turn the tide. As Senga pointed out, the focus must now shift to the following games, where the Mets can strive for a comeback in the series standings.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mets-vs-dodgers-nlcs-game-2-prediction-odds-pick">As Game 2 approaches</a>, the pressure remains, but so does the opportunity. For Kodai Senga and the New York Mets, the path forward is clear: adjust, improve, and turn the page quickly. The resilience shown by Senga in his post-game reflections will need to be a characteristic embraced by the entire team as they continue their quest for a championship.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Mets’ Kodai Senga gets 100% real about Game 1 debacle vs. Dodgers

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/dodgers-news-tie-eye-popping-postseason-record-1966-humbling-mets');   ga('set', 'title', 'Dodgers tie eye-popping postseason record set in 1966 after humbling Mets');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Dodgers-news-LA-ties-eye-popping-postseason-record-set-in-1966-after-humbling-Mets.jpg"></figure><h1>Dodgers tie eye-popping postseason record set in 1966 after humbling Mets</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-13T21:37:28-07:00">October 13th, 9:37pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-13T21:37:28-07:00">October 13th, 9:37pm</time><address><a>Rexwell Villas</a>Rexwell Villas is an experienced sports writer covering a variety of sports, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and college football. He's a Communications Arts graduate from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines, and he claims to have JR Smith's conscience with his shot selection. He has won a basketball, a baseball, and a football championship in fantasy all within a year.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Los Angeles Dodgers just keep on rolling. They started their 2024 National League Championship Series against the New York Mets on Sunday with a powerful message, as they ran away with a 9-0 victory. Los Angeles got the business done at the plate and on the mound, and they even <a href="https://x.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/1845668770188317179" rel="noopener">tied a postseason record</a> that has stood for nearly six decades.</p><p>“The Dodgers enter Game 2 with 33 straight scoreless innings, tying the 1966 Orioles for the longest scoreless streak all-time in a single postseason,” shared ESPN Stats &amp; Info on X (formerly Twitter).</p><p>The Dodgers gave the ball to Jack Flaherty in Game 1, and the pitcher delivered the goods. Flaherty went seven innings deep, allowing zero earned runs and just two hits with two walks issued along with six strikeouts. Daniel Hudson and Ben Casparius then made sure that Flaherty’s effort wouldn’t go to waste, as the two relievers combined for two scoreless innings on 33 pitches.</p><p>Los Angeles’ offense went down to work early, helping calm the nerves of Flaherty. The Dodgers scored two runs in the first inning off of a two-run single by Max Muncy. In the second inning, Shohei Ohtani’s single drove Gavin Lux home. The Dodgers added three more runs in the fourth frame and three in the eighth inning.</p><h2><b>Dodgers pitching shines again</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Dave-Roberts-with-LA-Dodgers.jpg"><figcaption>Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>It has been a while since the Dodgers last gave up a run. One will have to go all the way back to Game 3 of Los Angeles’ heated series against the San Diego Padres in the divisional round for that. After the Dodgers pulled off a 6-5 win in that contest, they flatted the Padres in Game 4 to the tune of an 8-0 score and again in Game 5, 2-0. What’s making the Dodgers’ pitching feat even more impressive is the fact that they have dominated on the mound despite a banged-up staff. Alex Vesia, Tony Gonsolin, Joe Kelly, Brusdar Graterol, Clayton Kershaw, and Gavin Stone are all sidelined by injuries.</p><p>So far in the 2024 MLB postseason, the Dodgers have recorded a 3.57 ERA and just a .200 opponents’ batting average — the best in playoffs.</p><p>The Dodgers will look to double down on their mastery of the Mets in Game 2 this coming Monday evening at Dodger Stadium.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Dodgers tie eye-popping postseason record set in 1966 after humbling Mets

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mets-news-manager-carlos-mendoza-brutally-honest-kodai-senga-after-loss-dodgers');   ga('set', 'title', 'Mets’ manager Carlos Mendoza gets brutally honest about Kodai Senga after loss to Dodgers');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Carlos-Mendoza-gets-brutally-honest-about-Kodai-Senga-after-loss-to-Dodgers.jpg"></figure><h1>Mets’ manager Carlos Mendoza gets brutally honest about Kodai Senga after loss to Dodgers</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-13T21:36:05-07:00">October 13th, 9:36pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-13T21:39:21-07:00">October 13th, 9:39pm</time><address><a>Brayden Haena</a>Brayden Haena is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. A die-hard San Francisco Giants fan and a football fanatic, Brayden further channels his baseball enthusiasm through his podcast, where he delves into the latest in sports with engaging commentary. He also serves as the Defensive Coordinator for Heritage High School. His commitment to sports journalism is evident in his diverse experiences with ContraCosta.news and his dedication to delivering compelling and insightful content.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>In a candid post-game interview, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mets-news-carlos-mendoza-reaction-nlds-win-sums-wild-ride">New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza</a> didn’t shy away from addressing the struggles of pitcher Kodai Senga during the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/dodgers-mets-bold-predictions-2024-nlcs">first game of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers</a>. Mendoza’s reflections came after Senga’s performance significantly impacted the Mets’ ability to contend in what became a challenging game for the team.</p><p>“He was off. He didn’t have it. He didn’t have the life on his fastball and a lot of balls out of hand. Non-competitive pitches. Especially the split. You could tell the way they were taking those pitches; they were balls out of the hand. Definitely off today,” Mendoza detailed in a postgame press conference, highlighting the issues that plagued Senga throughout his outing.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">"He was off. He didn't have it."</p><p>Carlos Mendoza on Kodai Senga's outing tonight: <a href="https://t.co/M2YCX7t6IE">pic.twitter.com/M2YCX7t6IE</a></p><p>— SNY (@SNYtv) <a href="https://twitter.com/SNYtv/status/1845665439826723297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>The lack of effectiveness in Senga’s pitches, particularly his splitter—a pitch that is usually a key component of his arsenal—allowed Dodgers hitters to comfortably wait for more favorable pitches, contributing to early runs that set the tone for the rest of the game.</p><h2><b>Dodgers route Senga, Mets in Game 1</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Kodai-Senga_526010.jpg"><figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>This performance comes as a blow to the Mets, who have relied on Senga’s usually sharp pitching throughout the season. His inability to command his pitches left the Mets’ bullpen exposed and struggling to contain a potent Dodgers lineup, evident in the final scoreline that heavily favored the Dodgers.</p><p>When probed about the possibility of returning to Senga for a potential Game 5, Mendoza remained cautiously optimistic but non-committal. “Yeah, I mean, we gotta wait and see how he responds the next couple of days, the same way we’ve been treating it every time he gets on the mound. Day by day and then see how we get to Game 5 or whatever the case might be. But I think it’s going to come down to how he’s going to bounce back,” he explained.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Carlos Mendoza was asked how comfortable he would be going back to Kodai Senga for Game 5 if the series gets that far: <a href="https://t.co/5BrizwDg07">pic.twitter.com/5BrizwDg07</a></p><p>— SNY (@SNYtv) <a href="https://twitter.com/SNYtv/status/1845665724271874080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>This cautious approach underscores the uncertainty surrounding Senga’s current form and fitness, suggesting that the Mets’ staff will be closely monitoring his recovery and practice sessions before making any further decisions about his role in the ongoing series.</p><p>The stakes are undoubtedly high for the Mets, as any missteps in pitcher management could cost them dearly in their pursuit of a championship. The decision on whether to stick with Senga for another critical game will likely hinge on his ability to demonstrate improvement and readiness in the coming days, a scenario that puts additional pressure on both the pitcher and the coaching staff.</p><p>For the Mets and their fans, the hope will be that Senga can recalibrate and return to the form that has made him a valuable asset to the team’s pitching rotation. As the series progresses, all eyes will be on Mendoza and his staff to make the strategic decisions that will best position the team for success, balancing immediate needs with the long-term goal of advancing through the playoffs.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Mets’ manager Carlos Mendoza gets brutally honest about Kodai Senga after loss to Dodgers

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mets-new-mets-end-shohei-ohtani-streak-nlcs-game-1');   ga('set', 'title', 'Mets end Shohei Ohtani’s insane streak in NLCS Game 1');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Mets-news-New-York-ends-Shohei-Ohtanis-insane-streak-in-NLCS-Game-1.jpg"></figure><h1>Mets end Shohei Ohtani’s insane streak in NLCS Game 1</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-13T20:56:32-07:00">October 13th, 8:56pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-13T20:56:32-07:00">October 13th, 8:56pm</time><address><a>Brayden Haena</a>Brayden Haena is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. A die-hard San Francisco Giants fan and a football fanatic, Brayden further channels his baseball enthusiasm through his podcast, where he delves into the latest in sports with engaging commentary. He also serves as the Defensive Coordinator for Heritage High School. His commitment to sports journalism is evident in his diverse experiences with ContraCosta.news and his dedication to delivering compelling and insightful content.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>In a pivotal moment <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/dodgers-mets-bold-predictions-2024-nlcs">during Game 1 of the NLCS</a>, New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez accomplished what no other catcher had managed in nearly three months: he caught Shohei Ohtani attempting to steal second base. This play not only halted Ohtani’s impressive streak of 36 consecutive successful stolen bases but also marked a significant defensive highlight in an otherwise challenging game for the Mets.</p><p>Ohtani, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/shohei-ohtani-already-made-mlb-obscene-amount-of-money">the Los Angeles Dodgers’ phenomenal two-way star</a>, had been a dominant force on the base paths, with his last being caught stealing incident occurring on July 22 by San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey. This streak of agility and speed had contributed significantly to Ohtani’s historic season, where he became the first player in Major League Baseball history to achieve a 50-50 season—smashing 54 home runs and stealing 59 bases.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="instagram-media"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DBFfib3NFCJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="line-height: 0; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="display: flex;"><div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div><div style="display: flex;"><div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div><div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div><div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"><div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div><div style="display: flex; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div><div></div><div></div><div></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"><div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div><div></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"><div></div><div></div><div></div></div></div><div style="display: flex; margin-bottom: 24px;"><div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div><div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div><p></p></a><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DBFfib3NFCJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by MLB ⚾ (@mlb)</a></p></div></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></figure><p>The game itself had started strongly in favor of the Dodgers, with Ohtani driving in the first run with an RBI single off Mets starter Kodai Senga, helping to set the tone for an early 3-0 lead. Ohtani’s influence continued as he reached base again in the fourth inning, this time capitalizing on a fielding error by Mets right fielder Starling Marte to eventually score on Freddie Freeman’s single, widening the gap to a 6-0 Dodgers advantage.</p><h2><b>Dodgers blow out Mets in Game 1</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Ohtani-and-Lindor.jpg"><figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Despite the Mets’ struggling to contain the Dodgers’ offense, Alvarez’s play was a moment of defensive excellence that showcased his skill and timing, critical for a catcher facing base runners as adept as Ohtani. This caught-stealing not only ended Ohtani’s run on the bases but also provided a morale boost for the Mets, demonstrating their ability to make significant plays against key players.</p><p>Alvarez, the Mets’ young catcher, has shown flashes of brilliance behind the plate, and his successful throw to catch Ohtani is indicative of his potential to rise as a premier defensive catcher. Plays like these are vital in postseason games, where momentum can shift rapidly, and defensive stops are as crucial as offensive firepower.</p><p>As the series progresses, the Mets will undoubtedly look to build on such defensive stops to swing the momentum in their favor. The challenge will be to harness this energy into more consistent performance across all innings to counteract the formidable Dodgers lineup. For Ohtani and the Dodgers, this minor setback is unlikely to dampen the strategic use of his speed, which has been a significant factor in their offensive strategy.</p><p>The NLCS opener has set the stage for what promises to be an intensely competitive series. As both teams adjust their strategies, players like Alvarez who can make pivotal plays will be under the spotlight, expected to perform at their best to tilt the balance in their team’s favor. As for Game 1, the Mets need to focus on what’s ahead, and fix all that went wrong Sunday night.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Mets end Shohei Ohtani’s insane streak in NLCS Game 1

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mets-vs-dodgers-nlcs-game-2-prediction-odds-pick');   ga('set', 'title', 'Mets vs. Dodgers NLCS Game 2 prediction, odds, pick');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Mets-vs.-Dodgers-NLCS-Game-1-prediction-odds-pick-1.jpg"></figure><h1>Mets vs. Dodgers NLCS Game 2 prediction, odds, pick</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-13T20:17:08-07:00">October 13th, 8:17pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-13T20:17:08-07:00">October 13th, 8:17pm</time><address><a>RB Hayek</a>RB Hayek has been writing about sports for over a decade and is currently a member of ClutchPoints' Betting team. In addition, he is also a published author of thriller novels, available on Amazon. Rob went 42-27 against the spread (49-20) in July.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Betting</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The New York Mets will battle the Los Angeles Dodgers for Game 2 of the National League Championship Series on Monday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. It’s a matinee showdown at Chavez Ravine as we share our NLCS odds <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/betting" rel="noopener">series</a> while making a Mets-Dodgers prediction and pick.</p><h2><b>Mets-Dodgers Game 2 Projected Starters </b></h2><p><b>Sean Manaea </b>vs. <b>Dodgers Bullpen </b></p><p><b>Sean Manaea </b>(1-0) with a 2.25 ERA</p><p>Last Start: Manaea went seven strong innings in his last outing, allowing one earned run on three hits while striking out six and walking two in a Game 3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.</p><p><b>Dodgers Bullpen</b></p><p>Notes: <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/dodgers-news-dave-roberts-eye-opening-walker-buehler-game-2-plan-mets" rel="noopener">Manager Dave Reports will not start Buehler</a> after Jack Flaherty pitched well in Game 1, opting for a bullpen game.</p><p><b><i>Here are the Mets-Dodgers <a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/mlb" rel="noopener">NLCS Odds</a>, courtesy of FanDuel. </i></b></p><h2><b>NLCS Odds: Mets-Dodgers Odds</b></h2><p>New York Mets: +1.5 (-184)</p><p>Moneyline: +120</p><p>Los Angeles Dodgers: -1.5 (+150)</p><p>Moneyline: -142</p><p>Over: 8.5 (-110)</p><p>Under: 8.5 (-110)</p><h2><b>How to Watch Mets vs. Dodgers Game 2</b></h2><p>Time: 4:08 PM ET/1:08 PM PT</p><p>TV: FOX Sports</p><p><i><b>Stream: fuboTV (<a href="https://www.fubo.tv/stream/mlb/?irad=377812&amp;irmp=492408" rel="noopener sponsored">Free Trial</a>)</b></i></p><h2><b>Why The Mets Will Cover The Spread/Win</b></h2><ul><li>The Mets have dominated Buehler, as he has a 5.00 ERA in his career against them.</li><li>The Mets are 6-0 when scoring four or more runs in the 2024 Postseason.</li><li>The Mets are 5-0 when allowing three or fewer runs in the 2024 Postseason.</li></ul><p>The Mets struggled on offense in Game 1, and falling behind in a large hole made things even tougher. Unfortunately, the offense could not solve Jack Flaherty as he dominated them for seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits. Francisco Lindor, Mark Vientos, Brandon Nimmo, and Pete Alonso combined to go 0 for 10 in this game, with neither being able to make much of a mark.</p><p>Manaea must avoid the pitfalls that Kodai Senga endured in Game 1 to give his Mets a chance to win this game. Unfortunately, Senga lasted just 10 hitters, and that is something Manaea must change. The Mets tried too hard to fool the Dodgers into swinging on bad pitches, but it did not work as it did against the Philadelphia Phillies. David Peterson also struggled after allowing three runs, two earned, on four hits through 2 1/3 innings. So he will not be available in this game, leaving more pressure on Manaea and the bullpen.</p><p>The Mets will cover the spread if the top of the order can find ways to get on base and the heart of the order can drive them in. Then, the Mets need significantly better pitching than they got in Game 1.</p><h2><b>Why The Dodgers Will Cover The Spread/Win</b></h2><ul><li>The Dodgers have dominated Manaea, as he is just 1-5 with a 7.09 ERA over 11 games in his career against the boys in blue.</li><li>The Dodgers are 3-1 when scoring four or more runs.</li><li>The Dodgers are 2-1 when scoring first in the playoffs.</li></ul><p>The Dodgers struck first in Game 1, which helped them establish momentum. Of course, it helped that Senga walked three consecutive hitters to set up Max Muncy, who drove two runners home. The Dodgers were patient, which they have been throughout the postseason, and it helped them jump out on top.</p><p>Shohei Ohtani stayed hot, driving in a run home to give the Dodgers some extra insurance. Ohtani finished 2 for 4 and is now batting .250 with one home run, five RBIs, and four runs in six postseason games.</p><p>With Flaherty going deep in Game 1, it looks like the Dodgers will use the bullpen strategy in Game 2. So far, it has worked throughout the postseason, and they have tossed 32 consecutive shutout innings. What was once a significant concern entering the postseason has turned into a major strength, as every bullpen arm has locked in, giving Roberts the confidence to trust that process rather than rely on another starting pitcher.</p><p>The Dodgers will cover the spread if they continue to drive runners home and grab an early lead. Then, they must continue successfully locating their pitches.</p><h2><b>Final Mets-Dodgers Prediction &amp; Pick</b></h2><p>The Mets are 6-2 against the run line in the 2024 Postseason, while the Dodgers are 5-1. Also, the Mets are 4-2 against the spread on the road in the playoffs, while the Dodgers are 3-1 at home.</p><p>The Mets could not manage anything in Game 1 and looked utterly lost. Moreover, they could not manufacture any hits or even clobber anything out of the ballpark the way they had done against Milwaukee or Philadelphia. Still, this team has too much talent and too many good bats to go down without a fight. The quick turnaround could benefit them, and the fact that they play during the day could be even more advantageous. Expect the Mets to bounce back and cover the spread.</p><p><b>Final Mets-Dodgers Prediction &amp; Pick: New York Mets: +1.5 (-184)</b></p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Mets vs. Dodgers NLCS Game 2 prediction, odds, pick

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mets-news-the-hole-shohei-ohtani-game-new-york-exploit-padres');   ga('set', 'title', 'The ‘hole’ in Shohei Ohtani’s game the Mets must exploit like Padres');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/The-hole-in-Shohei-Ohtanis-game-New-York-must-exploit-like-Padres.jpg"></figure><h1>The ‘hole’ in Shohei Ohtani’s game the Mets must exploit like Padres</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-13T15:39:35-07:00">October 13th, 3:39pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-13T15:39:35-07:00">October 13th, 3:39pm</time><address><a>Christopher Hennessy</a>Christopher Hennessy graduated with a journalism degree from Fordham University in 2022. He has also worked at Spectrum News One in Albany, New York and with The Hockey Writers as a New York Islanders writer. Chris is originally from Connecticut and is a lifelong New York Yankees, Islanders, and Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Los Angeles Dodgers <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/dodgers-news-shohei-ohtani-reaction-nlds-win">beat the San Diego Padres in the NLDS</a> without much help from superstar Shohei Ohtani. The designated hitter went 4-20 with two walks and ten strikeouts in his first postseason series. In the process, the Padres exposed one of the very few holes in Ohtani’s game. The Athletic’s Andy McCullough <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5839176/2024/10/13/mets-dodgers-shohei-ohtani/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=mlbtw&amp;source=mlbtw" rel="noopener">detailed how the</a> Mets can take advantage of this deficiency in the NLCS.</p><p>Rival evaluators believe pitchers can disarm Ohtani by firing fastballs up and in. That is considered a hole Ohtani has not yet closed. Yet reaching that location can be perilous. Misses can leak over the plate, in the sort of spot where Ohtani can send them into orbit. Facing Ohtani, [Padres reliever Tanner] Scott did not miss. He pumped fastballs for strikes and eventually lured him out of the strike zone with high-90s heat.</p><p>McCullough details how Padres closer Tanner Scott was deployed during the five-game series. He faced Ohtani in four of the games, striking him out all four times. The Mets do not have a pitcher with the capabilities of Scott, even with Edwin Diaz coming out of the bullpen.</p><p>Ohtani will provide a tough matchup for the Mets, as he does for almost every team in the league. He put together the first-ever 50-homer, 50-steal season in his first year with the Dodgers. He must continue his great season in October.</p><h2>Shohei Ohtani must dominate in the NLCS</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Shohei-Ohtani-with-Los-Angeles-Dodgers-2.jpg"><figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Dodgers have a significant disadvantage at starting pitcher despite having the better record in the regular season. They may roll with a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/dodgers-news-dave-roberts-eye-opening-walker-buehler-game-2-plan-mets">bullpen game in Game 2</a> because of the cavalcade of injuries to their rotation. Clayton Kershaw and Tyler Glasnow are unavailable for the entire postseason.</p><p>That means that the Dodgers’ offensive starts have to produce for them to win the National League pennant. That includes Ohtani, who had never played in the MLB postseason before last week. Now that he is accustomed to the brightest lights in the game, he has to shake the rust off.</p><p>Against the Mets this season, Ohtani went 6-19 with five runs scored in just five games. New York’s pitching has not been able to get him out this year and there’s a chance that continues in the biggest games of the season. Aaron Judge has shown that regular-season greatness does not always translate to postseason success. Ohtani must make sure he does not fall into that category by the end of the NLCS.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

The ‘hole’ in Shohei Ohtani’s game the Mets must exploit like Padres

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/dodgers-mets-bold-predictions-2024-nlcs');   ga('set', 'title', 'Dodgers vs. Mets bold predictions for 2024 NLCS');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Dodgers-vs.-Mets-bold-predictions-for-2024-NLCS.jpg"></figure><h1>Dodgers vs. Mets bold predictions for 2024 NLCS</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-13T13:14:03-07:00">October 13th, 1:14pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-13T13:26:48-07:00">October 13th, 1:26pm</time><address><a>Christopher Hennessy</a>Christopher Hennessy graduated with a journalism degree from Fordham University in 2022. He has also worked at Spectrum News One in Albany, New York and with The Hockey Writers as a New York Islanders writer. Chris is originally from Connecticut and is a lifelong New York Yankees, Islanders, and Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Mini-Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The National League Championship Series features the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers for the first time since 1988. Each team won contentious NLDS sets against big rivals to reach this set. With the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mets-vs-dodgers-nlcs-game-1-prediction-odds-pick">first game coming up</a>, we’ll be making our NLCS bold predictions.</p><p>The Dodgers <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/dodgers-news-dave-roberts-delivers-epic-locker-room-speech-nlds-win">won a pitcher’s duel in Game 5 of the NLDS</a> to send the San Diego Padres home. They got to Yu Darvish twice, solo homers from Kike Hernandez and Teoscar Hernandez, and won the game 2-0. They spent big money this off-season to get to this point, including a $700 million commitment to Shohei Otani.</p><p>The Mets have the biggest payroll in baseball but came into the season with low expectations. Because they are still paying Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer to play elsewhere, their payroll is a bit deceiving. But they are paying Francisco Lindor and he has earned every dime. His <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mets-news-cameras-francisco-lindor-dramatic-reaction-nlds-win">game-clinching grand slam in Game 4 of the NLDS</a> is one of the most important homers in Mets history.</p><p>Ahead of Sunday’s Game 1, we’ll be making our National League Championship Series predictions.</p><p><i><b>*Watch MLB games LIVE with fuboTV (<a href="https://www.fubo.tv/lp/mlb/?irad=377812&amp;irmp=492408" rel="noopener">free trial</a>)*</b></i></p><h2>Francisco Lindor will have 6 RBI</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Mets-celebrate-with-OMG.jpg"><figcaption>Brad Penner-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Mets have been led all season long by their shortstop Francisco Lindor. He hit a massive home run in the final regular season doubleheader against the Braves to get them to the playoffs. His heroics against the Phillies got the team to the NLCS in the first place. Lindor’s greatness will continue against the Dodgers with six RBI in the series.</p><p>So far in the seven playoff games the Mets have played, Lindor has six RBI. Four of those, of course, came on the home run in the sixth inning of the most recent game. He had only one against the Brewers, coming in their Game 2 loss. If the Amazins are going to have any chance of winning the pennant, Lindor will have to be incredible.</p><p>The National League MVP award was a contentious race between Shohei Ohtani and Lindor. Ohtani will likely win it, as he completed the first-ever 50-homer, 50-steal season. Lindor carried his team while playing shortstop every single day. Do not expect that conversation to end even though these games don’t count for the award.</p><h2><b>Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts will combine for four home runs</b></h2><p>And you should not expect Shohei Ohtani to go down quietly. The Dodgers’ designated hitter hit a three-run homer in his first playoff game but was not excellent in the following four contests. Ohtani will certainly have more success against the Mets, who do not have Tanner Scott on their team. The reliever dominated Ohtani, setting him down four times with four strikeouts.</p><p>Mookie Betts was a massive reason why the Dodgers advanced. He hit a first-inning home run in Game 4 that started the offensive onslaught. And he had a home run robbed in Game 3 which is a run for LA against plenty of outfielders in the league. His greatness will continue, as he would have been in the MVP conversation if not for an injury.</p><p>Put those two stars together at the top of the lineup and you have a great baseball team. They will prove that with four home runs combined throughout the series. They are the players who you cannot let beat you when you play the Dodgers but that is easier said than done.</p><h2><b>The Mets will win the National League Championship Series in Game 7</b></h2><p>The OMG, Grimace, Hawk Tuah, Pumpkin, and My Girl Mets will win the National League Championship Series. They will take it in seven games, going to Los Angeles and winning the pennant. They have<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/phillies-news-bryce-harper-sean-manaea-admission-game-3"> fantastic starting pitching</a>, which is their biggest advantage in the series. Bullpen games will not always go as well for the Dodgers <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=401701029" rel="noopener">as they</a> did in Game 4 and that will harm them.</p><p>The Mets also have the advantage of a fanbase on fire and a raucous stadium. While Dodger Stadium has also been loud, sometimes over the line, the Mets fans are reinvigorated by this club. They are back in the NLCS for the first time since 2015. The Dodgers were just here in 2021, 2020, 2018, and 2017.</p><p>Expect this series to be back-and-forth and very long. These teams are evenly matched and are both blistering hot coming into the series. The Mets and Dodgers begin the National League Championship Series on Sunday at 8 p.m. Eastern time.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

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