The Los Angeles Dodgers show why they've been a World Series favorite all year long.
They had another dominant performance against the New York Mets in Game 4 of the NLCS on Thursday, winning 10-2 and taking a commanding 3-1 lead in the National League Championship Series.
Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani got off to a strong start, hitting his third home run of the postseason in the top of the first inning. However, New York countered with a solo shot by Mark Vientos in the bottom of the first half.
The Dodgers had consecutive hits with two outs in the third inning, giving each other a run, but the Mets quickly cut the lead back to one run.
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Los Angeles Dodgers No. 50 Mookie Betts celebrates Los Angeles Dodgers No. 17 Shohei Ohtani's two-run home run, New York Mets No. 4 Francisco Alvarez celebrates a two-run home run by Los Angeles Dodgers No. 17 Shohei Ohtani in the bottom of the sixth inning in Game 4 against the New York Mets. react. National League Championship Series at Citi Field in New York City on October 17, 2024. (Sarah Steer/Getty Images)
In the fourth inning, Mookie Betts added two runs with a double, giving Los Angeles a 5-2 lead. After the second inning, Betts hit a two-run home run, giving the Dodgers a five-run lead. New York loaded the bases with no outs in the sixth inning, but they failed to score, and the Citi Field crowd deflated. To add insult to injury, the Dodgers took control of the situation by scoring three runs in the eighth inning.
The Dodgers won despite resting Freddie Freeman, who was playing with a severely sprained ankle. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts did not commit to using Freeman for all three games in New York, but said after Game 3 that he expected Freeman to be in Thursday's lineup. Looks like he didn't go unnoticed.
Ohtani scored four runs on the night, including a home run and three walks. Betts, on the other hand, had 4 hits in 6 at bats.
Mookie Betts, No. 50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers, hits an RBI double in the fourth inning of Game 4 of the NLCS presented by Loan Depot between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets on Thursday, October 17, 2024 at Citi Field. react. New York, New York. (Daniel Shiley/MLB Photo via Getty Images)
After losing a late lead, the Guardians used a long ball to snatch a miraculous walk-off victory.
The Dodgers are now one win away from returning to the World Series. The last time they won it all was in the coronavirus-shortened 2020 season, but other than that they haven't won since 1988. This will be their first full season appearance in the Fall Classic since 2018, when they lost to Boston. Red Sox.
The Mets need a win at home on Friday, then wins in Los Angeles on Sunday and Monday to get back to the World Series. Los Angeles outscored the Mets 30-5 in this series overall.
This isn't the first time the Mets have had their backs against the wall this October, but this is the first time they've had to survive and advance for quite some time.
In the bottom of the 6th inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series, while No. 4 Francisco Alvarez of the New York Mets is reacting, No. 50 Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits No. 17 Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Celebrating the two-run home run. October 17, 2024 at Citi Field in New York City. (Sarah Steer/Getty Images)
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It hasn't been decided yet who the Mets will throw to as they face elimination, but it will likely be either Kodai Chiga or David Peterson. Meanwhile, Los Angeles plans to use Jack Flaherty.
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