The Los Angeles Dodgers are headed back to the World Series.
With a 10-5 victory over the New York Mets in Game 6 on Sunday, L.A. advances to its fourth World Series in eight seasons and its first since winning it all in 2020. The Dodgers will face the New York Yankees, who dispatched the Cleveland Guardians in five games in the ALCS, in Game 1 on Friday.
Tommy Edman was named NLCS MVP after contributing four RBI in Game 6 and 11 total in this National League Championship Series against the Mets.
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. Fourteen total pitchers were used in the game, seven on each side, and Los Angeles’ gamble of a bullpen game paid off.
The Mets struck first in the opening frame thanks to some heads-up baserunning, an infield single by Pete Alonso and a Dodgers throwing error, but their lead didn’t last long, with the Dodgers’ offense attacking Mets starter Sean Manaea early. The lefty threw 34 pitches (21 strikes) in the first, giving up a two-run double to Tommy Edman.
Manaea made it only one more inning, and it was an uphill battle from there, as Mets pitchers continued to struggle against the Dodgers’ relentless offense. Edman continued his NLCS dominance with a two-run homer in the third, 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 RBI from Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernández and Enrique Hernández in the eighth put the Dodgers into double digits.
Ohtani will play in his first World Series in his seventh season in MLB — and his first with the Dodgers after signing a monster, 10-year, $700 million contract in the offseason.
What better way for Ohtani to make his World Series debut than against Aaron Judge, Juan Soto and the Yankees? It has been 43 years since the last time the Dodgers and Yankees met in the Fall Classic, and the Dodgers won 4-2 in 1981.
Both teams should be well rested when the World Series begins on Friday in Los Angeles.
Check out the recap below from Yahoo Sports:
LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER31 updates
The Dodgers are heading to the World Series!
They top the Mets 10-5 in Game 6 to advance.
The Dodgers are pouring it on!
Mookie Betts adds some insurance in the 8th
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.
