Game 2 New York Mets vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Prediction:
Game 2 of the National League Championship Series is a crucial one. Nobody wants to fall down 0-2 in a series of this magnitude, and the home-standing Los Angeles Dodgers look for a big start from their pitching staff against the New York Mets on Monday.
Walker Buehler was expected to be the starter for Game 2 entering the series, but after allowing six runs in the second inning and during the regular season, he has posted a 5.38 ERA with over 1.9 home runs per nine innings.
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Even if Buehler gets the start or a bulk appearance out of the bullpen, it will test a Dodgers bullpen that was used heavily during their previous series against the San Diego Padres.
While the Dodgers bullpen had a 2.22 ERA in their series against the Padres, from July 1 until the end of the regular season, the Dodgers were 15th in the league with a 4.03 ERA in their bullpen.
The Mets bullpen has pretty similar season numbers with a 4.01 bullpen ERA this postseason entering Sunday’s Game 1, with a 4.03 ERA in the bullpen during the regular season. The team has the more tried and true starting pitcher in Sean Manaea.
Between the regular season and postseason, Manaea has a 3.39 ERA with just over one home run per nine innings allowed, and has been at his best on the road with a 3.19 ERA in less than 0.8 home runs per nine innings allowed between the regular season and playoffs.
While the Dodgers’ 5.2 runs per game this season are the most of any team that made the postseason, that number drops closer to 4.9 runs per game at home, while the Mets are eighth in the league in road scoring with nearly 4.8 runs per game.
With the Dodgers’ starting rotation uncertain and Manaea entering having allowed three runs or fewer in 13 of his past 15 starts between the regular season and playoffs, the Mets will return to New York with a win.
MLB Pick: New York Mets Moneyline +125
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