Will Smith celebrates with Teoscar Hernández after hitting a two-run home run in the third inning of Game 6. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Dodgers are headed back to the World Series.
With a 10-5 win over the New York Mets in Game 6 on Sunday night, L.A. will go to its fourth World Series in eight seasons, and its first since winning it all in 2020.
It didn’t seem like a great start for the Dodgers when opener Michael Kopech threw 25 pitches and gave up a run in the first, but Los Angeles’ pitching didn’t have to be elite, it just had to be better than New York’s. And it was — thanks to all seven of the Dodgers’ pitchers in this bullpen game.
The Mets struck first thanks to some heads-up base running, an infield single by Pete Alonso and a Dodgers throwing error, but their lead didn’t last long, with the Dodgers offense attacking starter Sean Manaea early. The lefty threw 34 pitches (21 strikes) in the first, giving up a two-run double to Tommy Edman.
Manaea only made it one more inning, and it was an uphill battle from there as Mets pitching continued to struggle against the Dodgers’ relentless offense. Edman continued his NLCS dominance in the third with a two-run homer, and Will Smith joined the party with a two-run bomb of his own just three batters later. Shohei Ohtani tacked on a run with an RBI single in the sixth, and RBIs from Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernández and Enrique Hernández in the eighth.
The Dodgers will face the New York Yankees, who dispatched the Cleveland Guardians in five games in the ALCS, in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday at 7 p.m. ET. It’s been 43 years since the last Dodgers-Yankees World Series, which the Dodgers won 4-2.
The Mets are down to their final 3 outs in the NLCS
Blake Treinen struck out the side in the eighth, and the Dodgers are on the cusp of a trip to the World Series.
Mets tack one on with a sac fly in the 7th
Francisco Alvarez makes it 7-4 in the 7th, but the Mets can’t get a rally going and are down to their final six outs.
Shohei Ohtani makes it 7-3 Dodgers
Mets leave the bases loaded … again
The Mets are still down 6-3, but it’s not for a lack of chances. They’ve now left 11 runners on base.
Dodgers 6, Mets 3 after 5 innings
Edwin Díaz has pitched two scoreless innings for the Mets, who needed some stability on the mound.
Mark Vientos hits his 5th homer of the postseason
Don’t count the Mets out yet …
Have yourself a series, Tommy Edman
Will Smith’s 2-run shot gives Dodgers a 6-1 lead
It’s not looking great for the Mets so far, and it’s only the third …
Sean Manaea’s night is over
After Manaea gave up the home run to Edman and then walked Max Muncy, Phil Maton enters the game for the Mets.
Manaea’s final line: 2 IP, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO.
Tommy Edman drives in two more!
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.
