Breaking down the 2024 NLDS

The 2024 National League Championship Series (NLCS) is set to begin on Oct. 13 between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets. Both of these teams took two different paths to get here but now must get past each other to reach the World Series.

Mets vs. Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies played host to the New York Mets in the National League Divisional Series (NLDS). Philadelphia had won their division for the first time since 2011, while the Mets beat the National League Central champion Milwaukee Brewers in a best-of-three series to advance.

The Mets' pitching staff held Philadelphia’s bats down all series long except for their lone walk-off win in game two. The Phillies scored seven runs that game, and just five runs over the other three games.

On the other hand, the Mets scored at least four runs every game and were able to punish one of the best bullpens in baseball. The Mets have relied on clutch late-inning magic during this improbable run, and have gotten homers from their biggest bats.

The Mets were riding high off a series victory and used that momentum to secure a trip to the NLCS. The biggest hit of the series was Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor’s grand slam in game four. This would be the only runs scored for the Mets that day, but it was all they needed as they held on 4-1 to vanquish the Phillies three games to one in the series.

The Mets will need to rely on their clutch hitting and momentum to win eight more games and be crowned World Series Champions for the first time since 1986.

Padres vs. Dodgers

In another matchup of division rivals, the NL West-winning Dodgers played host to the Wild Card-winning San Diego Padres. These teams had matched up in the 2022 postseason where the Padres won and advanced to the NLCS.

The bats were alive for both clubs early in this series. Through three games a total of 35 runs were scored. The Dodgers found themselves with a 2-1 series deficit and faced elimination going into game four.

This was when the Padres’ bats disappeared. After the second inning in game three, the Padres would go 24 straight innings without scoring a single run. Shutout in both games four and five, the little brother Padres would be going home early.

Two solo home runs in front of their home crowd in game five were all the Dodgers needed to close out the series. A 2-0 game five win sends the Dodgers to the NLCS for the third time in five years.

The Dodgers are primed for a World Series title. Their starting rotation is a potential weakness, but their potent lineup and excellent bullpen have the ability to make up for it. The Dodgers are looking for their first title since the COVID-shortened 2020 season.

Carter Brooks is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email cjb7448@psu.edu.