Dodgers Dominate Mets 10-2 to Take 3-1 Lead in NLCS: Key Highlights from Game Four

Dodgers Dominate Mets

The New York Mets' fairytale season is on the brink of collapse after the Los Angeles Dodgers crushed them 10-2 on Thursday night, taking a commanding 3-1 lead in the National League Championship Series. The Dodgers are now just one win away from the World Series, while the Mets find themselves in dire need of a miracle.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza remains hopeful, noting his team's resilience throughout the season. “They have grit and fight, and they’re not going to give up. They’ll continue to play,” he said. However, the reality on the field paints a stark contrast to that optimism.

Simply put, the Dodgers are proving too formidable for the Mets to handle. Whether it’s Shohei Ohtani ending his 0-for-22 slump with a homer to kick off the game or Mookie Betts going 4-for-6 with a home run and four RBIs, the Dodgers’ offensive depth is overwhelming. Max Muncy has set a postseason record by reaching base 12 times in a row, further highlighting the Dodgers’ dominance at the plate.

The Dodgers have drawn 31 walks in the series—the most for the first four games in postseason history—while their pitching staff continues to stymie the Mets’ offense. Starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto struck out eight in just over four innings, leaving the game with a 5-2 lead. The bullpen followed suit, further cementing the Dodgers' control.

Since May, the Dodgers have now gone 7-1 against the Mets, outscoring them 58-12 in those matchups. At least the Mets can take solace in not being shut out for the third time this series, but the signs are grim. They entered the playoffs with high hopes, yet the Dodgers have dismantled their pitching staff.

Only one Mets starter has managed to pitch beyond five innings in this series. Veteran Jose Quintana, who had been stellar with a 0.57 ERA over his last eight starts, lasted just 3 ⅔ innings on Thursday. He surrendered five runs, including a pivotal two-run double from Betts in the fourth inning, quickly turning the tide in favor of Los Angeles.

“This is a challenge,” Mendoza acknowledged. “That’s a really good team.”

And that good team is making its superiority clear in this NLCS. The Mets will need a miracle to shift the momentum and keep their season alive.

Dodgers Dominate Mets 10-2 to Take 3-1 Lead in NLCS: Key Highlights from Game Four