The Mets face their second elimination game of the series as they send Sean Manaea against the Dodgers bullpen. Manaea makes his fourth start of the 2024 post season, and he’s pitched very well. He struck out 17 in 17 innings with just six walks and eleven hits allowed. That’s good for a 2.65 ERA. He also picked up the win game two in Los Angeles, in what started as a bullpen game but went awry early for the Dodgers.

The bullpen game can be tricky. A team only needs one reliever to have a bad day, as Landon Knack did in game two. On top of that, Dave Roberts is being questioned for giving up early in game five. The probabilities are still in the Dodgers favor, as worst case is another chance to win on Monday at home.

This game also points out the downside of Shohei Ohtani not being able to play in the field. Freddie Freeman’s ankle is getting worse. He started off decently this post season, but in his last three games Freeman is one for fifteen. Had Ohtani been able to play first base, Freeman might have been able to last the playoffs by resting between plate appearances. We’ll see how this plays out.