After the Mets forced a Game 6 with their 12-6 Game 5 win over the Dodgers at Citi Field on Friday, the National League Championship Series is back in Los Angeles on Sunday, with the home team looking to put an end to any hopes for an all-New York World Series.
The Mets have Sean Manaea on the mound, and the lefty has been strong for New York this postseason (2-0, 2.65 ERA, 17 strikeouts in 17 innings). For the Dodgers, it’s righty Michael Kopech, who was traded to Los Angeles from the White Sox in July. This is the reliever’s first time opening a game this October, but in 4 1/3 innings this postseason, he has surrendered just one hit and zero runs, striking out six hitters.
If the Dodgers win Game 6, they’ll play the New York Yankees, who closed out the Cleveland Guardians in extra innings in Game 5 on Saturday, in the World Series. If the Mets win tonight, Game 7 of the NLCS is Monday in Los Angeles. Either way, Game 1 of the World Series is set for Friday.
How to watch Mets vs. Dodgers NLCS Game 6 (LA leads 3-2)
Time: 8:08 p.m. ET
Location: Dodger Stadium | Los Angeles
TV channel: FS1
Streaming: YouTube TV, MLB TV
Follow along for live updates, highlights and more from Yahoo Sports:
Live18 updates
Tommy Edman with some insurance!
Edman appears uninterested in a potential Game 7
The stars are out in Los Angeles for NLCS Game 6
Michael Cooper and Magic Johnson on the field prior to Game 6 between the Mets and Dodgers on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Mets leave bases loaded in the 3rd
Anthony Banda struck out Jeff McNeil with the bases loaded, and the Dodgers still lead 2-1 in the middle of the third inning.
Another Dodgers pitching change
Anthony Banda comes on to face Jesse Winker after Pete Alonso reached first on a single.
Better 2nd inning for Manaea
Manaea gave up a single to Chris Taylor, who stole second, but he struck out Shohei Ohtani and was able to escape the inning unscathed.
Dodgers 2, Mets 1 in the 2nd inning
The Mets threatened with a Francisco Alvarez walk and a Francisco Lindor single, but reliever Ben Casparius neutralized the threat.
Kopech out, Casparius in
After Michael Kopech threw 25 pitches in the first, Ben Casparius takes over in the second inning for the Dodgers.
Alonso makes great play in foul territory to end Dodgers’ threat
Sean Manaea threw 34 pitches (21 strikes) in the first inning but was able to limit the damage thanks to an impressive snag by Pete Alonso in foul territory.
Sean Manaea in trouble
Manaea is at nearly 30 pitches in the first inning, and the Mets bullpen is gearing up.
Tommy Edman puts the Dodgers on top
Tommy Edman’s double gives the Dodgers a 2-1 lead in the first. It’s also, somehow, the first lead change in the series.
Kopech threw 25 pitches in the 1st
This was likely not how the Dodgers envisioned Game 6 starting.
Michael Kopech’s 25 pitches are his most in any outing since Dodgers acquired him at the trade deadline.
Michael Kopech, a former starter-turned-reliever, opened for the Dodgers and gave up a leadoff walk to Francisco Lindor, who took second on a wild pitch and advanced to third on a groundout by Brandon Nimmo. A Pete Alonso short-hopper scored Lindor to put the Mets on the board.
We’re moments away from first pitch. Michael Kopech is warming up on the mound for a bullpen game for the Dodgers.
Los Angeles is ready for Game 6
Kodai Senga expected to play relief role
Kodai Senga was not good in his Game 1 start, giving up three runs with two hits and four walks in 1 1/3 innings. Yet Mets manager Carlos Mendoza expects Senga to pitch in relief in Game 6 — or Game 7.
Given how thin their bullpen is, the Mets seem committed to using Kodai Senga at some point in NLCS Game 6 or 7.
To cobble together 54 outs over the next two days, Carlos Mendoza said, “Senga’s going to have to play a role.”
Fox’s Tom Verducci explained how Freddie Freeman’s sprained right ankle is affecting his swing, which is why Dodgers manager Dave Roberts took him out of the Game 6 lineup.
“His front side started collapsing as soon as he got that front foot down and Dave Roberts said ‘you are not playing in Game 6′”
Tom Verducci has more on the availability of Freddie Freeman for the Dodgers tonight, and why Jeff McNeil is starting for the Mets over Jose Iglesias pic.twitter.com/my7EhW1F9D
