NLDS Game 5 Preview: Keys to Victory

Fittingly, the Dodgers’ season could be prolonged or end on back-to-back appearances by Kershaw and Greinke, whose arms propelled them to a third consecutive NL West title and a franchise-record third straight playoff appearance. However, the Dodgers know sending a Cy Young Award contender to the mound in the winner-take-all game assures nothing with deGrom going for the Mets.

“Do you have to explain that one?”

After Game 1, manager Don Mattingly thought the Dodgers chased too many high fastballs from deGrom, but otherwise liked the quality of at-bats. “I mean, we’ll have a whole host of guys in the bullpen behind him”. Utley was disciplined for sliding hard into New York Mets’ Ruben Tejada in Game 2, causing Tejada to break his leg.

Greinke posted a 19-3 record with a 1.66 ERA and 200 strikeouts during the regular season; deGrom went 14-8 with a 2.54 ERA and 201 strikeouts in two fewer starts than Greinke.

Scouts say that Greinke just doesn’t make many mistakes pitches, and he’ll carve up hitters who get pull-conscious or home run-happy. He hit. 330 with 17 homers, 55 RBIs and 52 runs in the final half of the 2015 season.

The Dodgers provided Kershaw all the offense he needed in the third inning, when first baseman Adrian Gonzalez blooped an RBI single immediately before third baseman Justin Turner laced a two-run double.

“And that’s what Kershaw has done ever since I’ve been here”. And you kind of feel real confident that he’s pitched well out there that he’s going to go out and do it again.

Rookie shortstop Corey Seager is 2-for-12 in the series and has five strikeouts while veteran outfielder Carl Crawford is 1-for-11 in his three games. Kershaw has been on the mound with three days rest the last two years the Dodgers were eliminated.

“He’s just very impressive, you know, just very tough to square up”, Kershaw said. “Nobody wants to fly all the way across the country for one game”.

“When I’ve had successes and failures, I don’t think it’s because of being exhausted. The Mets have a really good ball team and I would hate to see them bow out this early”, said Dennis Holden, a comedian and Mets fan.

Wood, acquired July 30 from Atlanta, went 12-12 with a 3.84 ERA for the Braves and Dodgers this season.

“Would I have any preference?”

“It will be a fun one to watch”, Mets outfielder Curtis Granderson said. “Believe me, this is no slap at Alex Wood”.

So the pitching seems to be fine. Mattingly said the issue is whether Grandal can swing without pain; catching would not bother him.

The Mets put two on against Chris Hatcher and Kenley Jansen – with help from what appeared to be a missed foul tip by plate umpire Chris Guccione on what would’ve been strike three for David Wright – in the eighth.

Greinke pitched in Game 2 and was nearly, but not quite, as good, lasting seven with two runs on his ledger, with five hits and eight K’s as the Dodgers took that game 5-2. The team that wins game five and goes on to play the Chicago Cubs in the NLCS will be able to do two things. “This is what you think about and dream about as a kid to get a chance to be a part of”.