With the NLDS getting underway tonight between the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers, we break down each positional matchup.
By David Hong
The New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers will square off in the NLDS starting tomorrow night with Game 1. Both teams are evenly matched up with great starting pitching, great closers, and a solid lineup that could make or break the series. There’s also some playoff history between the former New York squad and the current New York squad.
In their first ever playoff meeting back in 1988, the Dodgers defeated the Mets in the NLCS in 7 games after New York beat Los Angeles 10 out of 11 times in the regular season.
But in 2006, the Mets returned the favor, sweeping the Dodgers in three games in the NLDS.
This series is projected to be a tight, low scoring affair in the majority of these contest due to strong starting pitching on both ends.
With that in mind, we will break through each of the positions between the two and how they compare with each other.
Catcher: Travis d’Arnaud vs A.J. Ellis/Yasmani Grandal
When he was playing, d’Arnaud came into his own in his second full season in the majors. d’Arnaud has improved on his defense behind the plate with his play calling and throwing. And he has also become a more serious hitter at the plate, flashing some power as well.
Grandal has slumped towards the end of the year, with only 3 hits in his last 51 at bats. So Ellis will probably get more playing time. But Ellis is a better hitter vs lefties and the Mets will bring mostly righty starters.
Edge: Mets
First Base: Lucas Duda vs Adrian Gonzalez
Both of them are fairly similar in that both are left handed hitters with home run power. Gonzo gets the slight edge because he’s been a more accomplished hitter over the years and he still is a Gold Glove fielder at 1st. But Duda has improved defensively and has flashed more consistent pop over the last couple seasons. When healthy, Gonzalez has been more consistent at the plate while Duda has been streaky. If Duda can get hot in this series it would be huge for the Mets offense.
Edge: Dodgers
Second base: Daniel Murphy vs Howie Kendrick
After a slow start Murphy has been more consistent in the second half and has been the Mets most consistent clutch hitter. Plus, he may be the toughest guy to strike out. The only problem is that he has struggled against lefties this year and Clayton Kershaw and Game 3 starter Brett Anderson are both lefty pitchers. Kendrick has been injured in the middle of the season but when healthy, he is one of the more consistent hitting second basemen there is.
Edge: Even
Shortstop: Ruben Tejada/Wilmer Flores vs Corey Seager
Seager has enjoyed a nice rookie year, hitting .337. Tejada is mentioned as the starting shortstop for the Mets. He brings defense and contact hitting. Plus he has good numbers against Kershaw, going 5-for-17. Flores has slowed down recently perhaps due to fatigue but the good amount of rest he got in September could make him fresh and he brings hitting with some power.
Edge: Dodgers
Third Base: David Wright vs Justin Turner
David Wright has had an encouraging return back from his hamstring and spinal stenosis injury. He’s hit a respectable .277 since coming back, with some occasional pop. He looked more comfortable at the plate and at the field towards the end of the year.
Turner, the ex-Met, has been an All-Star caliber hitter since coming over to Hollywood. He’s also hit .315 vs righty pitchers and that can be key vs the Mets slew of righty starters.
Edge: Even
Left Field: Michael Conforto/Michael Cuddyer vs Carl Crawford
The bright rookie Conforto will probably be used sparingly in this series, since LA will bring up left starters outside of Zack Greinke. But Conforto has really impressed in his first year in the majors, not only as a hitter but also on the field. Cuddy has had a disappointing first year in Flushing, but he is still dangerous vs lefties. Crawford, meanwhile, is not the same player he was with his various injuries.
Edge: Mets
Center Field: Yoenis Cespedes vs Joc Pederson
No question here, unless if Pederson rediscovers his first half form. Even then, it’s no match for what Cespedes has done here. In only two months with the Mets, Cespedes has slugged 18 home runs while hitting just under .300. Enough said.
Edge: Mets
Right Field: Curtis Granderson vs Andre Ethier/Yasiel Puig
Grandyman has been the Mets offensive MVP. As a lead-off hitter, consistent at getting on base with 91 walks and flashing more consistent power with 26 home runs in 2015. Also a solid outfielder as well.
Ethier is who he is. Still a solid hitter with some pop. Puig can be the key. How he fares, is anyone’s guess now with him just coming back from the DL. If he gets on a groove though, he provides power at the plate with speed and also a great outfield arm. But that remains to be seen.
Edge: Mets
Starting Pitching
Terrific matchups here, especially in the first two games. Dodgers may still have a better 1-2 punch, but the Mets have a deeper staff. In a short series, both of these can be a factor depending on how Kershaw and Greinke does on short rest if it goes the distance. If Steven Matz is ready to go for Game 4, the Mets are completely set with Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and Matt Harvey respectively.
Edge: Even
Bullpen
Both teams have great, young closers with strikeout stuffs in Jeurys Familia of the Mets and Kenley Jansen of the Dodgers. Getting to them can be an issue for both of them. Lately the Dodgers middle relievers have been more effective. Setup man Joe Hatcher has given up only 1 run in his last 13 innings and lefty J.P. Howell, only 1 run in his last 20 innings.
Unless Jon Niese proves himself in that role the Mets still do not have a proven lefty specialist in their pen. Addison Reed has been great since coming to the Mets. Outside of the Bryce Harper home run he gave up last Saturday, Reed has not allowed a earned run since being acquired from the D’backs in August. Mets set up man Tyler Clippard has been dreadful in September with an ERA well over 5.00 that month.
Edge: Dodgers
Bench
Clearly the edge to the Mets due to their depth and abundance of more useful weapons. And this is even without key veteran Juan Uribe. Because they still got Flores who gives them pop from the right side. Conforto does the same from the left side. Kelly Johnson also provides lefty hitting and can play the infield or the outfield. Juan Lagares provides outfield defense and hits well vs lefties. Kirk Nieuwenhuis, who replaced Uribe on the playoff roster, also brings outfield defense and occasional power. And finally Kevin Plawecki backs up d’Arnaud at catcher.
Dodgers bench brings a couple familiar ex Philies. But lets be real here. Both Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley, who’ve tormented the Mets over the years wearing those dreaded red jerseys, are not what they used to be as hitters. Some of LA’s other options are rookie Alex Guerrero and Scott Van Slyke.
Edge: Mets
Manager: Terry Collins vs. Don Mattingly
After falling short the last 2 playoffs, Mattingly is facing more pressure with the highest payroll in the majors. In the Dodgers last two playoff series losses (both to the Cardinals), Mattingly was criticized on some of his in game moves and if LA loses early in the playoffs, Mattingly could be on the hot seat if he isn’t so already.
Terry Collins has been questioned at times for some of his in game moves. But no doubt, he’s still done a good job as manager. He’s kept the Mets afloat in the NL East race even through their midseason struggles. He’s continued to be a good players manager and players love playing for him. And even with a deeper lineup after the midseason acquisitions, he did a fine job giving everyone decent playing time.
Edge: Mets
Outlook
On paper, this should be a close, evenly matched series with the great starting pitching. I know the Mets youth and inexperience will be tested but so will the Dodgers and the pressure to win it all, especially Kershaw with his recent playoff struggles. Mets get edge because of their deeper lineup and their rotation depth especially if Matz is good to go.