The New York Mets showed real grit and some sharp thinking in their recent series win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. They wrapped it up with a 3-1 victory on Sunday night, putting their improved pitching approach front and center.
The Mets kept steady pressure on the strike zone. Their journey through this series had a few key moments and standout performances worth talking about, especially as they made some clever strategic adjustments along the way.
The Mets’ Tactical Shift: Attacking the Strike Zone
This time, the Mets flipped the script compared to last year’s National League Championship Series. Instead of pitching around hitters, they went right after the strike zone with more confidence.
Last fall, they handed out 42 walks to Dodgers hitters over six games. That strategy backfired badly. In this series, though, they cut it down to just 13 walks in three games.
Only five of those came in the first five innings on Friday. That discipline really limited the Dodgers, who managed just five runs over the final 26 innings. It’s wild how much a little focus can change the outcome.
Key Performances on the Mound
Several Mets pitchers stepped up big. Reed Garrett closed things out with a scoreless ninth inning on Sunday, nailing down the save and showing what happens when you challenge hitters.
He said, *Who I am is enough,* and you could feel that self-assurance in the way he pitched. The Mets’ bullpen ran deep, with all eight relievers getting work in Friday’s 13-inning marathon. That’s not something you see every day.
Kodai Senga didn’t have his absolute best stuff, but he still held the Dodgers to one run over 5 1/3 innings on Sunday. He got some huge outs and stranded runners when it mattered most.
Senga’s strand rate sits above 86 percent, which might not last forever, but for now, it’s working. He seems to thrive when the heat’s on.
Defensive Highlights: Tyrone Taylor’s Game-Changing Play
Tyrone Taylor had a moment that really stood out. In the first inning on Sunday, he threw out Mookie Betts at the plate, shutting down a Dodgers scoring chance before it could start.
That play set the tone for the Mets’ defense all series. Taylor’s arm and instincts were on full display—honestly, it was a blast to watch.
Offensive Contributions: Bottom of the Lineup Steps Up
The offense dipped a bit in May, sure, but the bottom half of the lineup picked up the slack. Brett Baty, hitting ninth, turned out to be their best hitter for the month.
And Luis Torrens kept chipping in with steady at-bats. Manager Carlos Mendoza stuck with Baty in the ninth spot to keep him comfortable and to keep the pressure on pitchers as the lineup turned over. Can’t argue with the results.
Injury Updates and Roster Moves
The Mets have a few guys working through injuries and rehab. Brandon Nimmo was available off the bench Sunday night and hopes to get back in the lineup soon.
Paul Blackburn’s set for his final rehab start at Triple-A Syracuse, with a shot at returning to the majors in early June. Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea are making progress too, probably looking at July for their comebacks.
Looking Ahead: Upcoming Matchups
The Mets face the Chicago White Sox and the Colorado Rockies next. The rotation will feature Tylor Megill, Griffin Canning, and Kodai Senga, all hoping to keep building on their recent outings.
They’ll try to keep the wins coming and close the gap in the National League East. It’s a tall order, but hey, that’s baseball.
The Mets’ series win over the Dodgers says a lot about their strategic adjustments. It also shows just how deep their roster goes.
They attacked the strike zone and leaned on a few clutch defensive plays. That kind of approach builds a solid foundation for the rest of the season, doesn’t it?
If you want the nitty-gritty details and more analysis on how the Mets pulled it off, check out the full article on The Athletic.
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