Drama building in Mets-Phillies, Dodgers-Padres showdowns

“Obviously, you want to go 2-0 at home, but being able to go 1-1 going into New York…I imagine it’s going to be pretty hostile there — and a lot of fun,” Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper told MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki.

The stars have shown up on both sides. For the Mets, shortstop Francisco Lindor has reached base four times over the first two games, while first baseman Pete Alonso, the wild-card series hero, homered in Game 2. 

The Phillies’ power hitters have responded in kind, with designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, right fielder Nick Castellanos and Harper all going deep. Harper has reached base six times over the series’ first two games.

As the series shifts to Queens, the pitching matchup could play a crucial role. The Mets will send left-hander Sean Manaea to the mound. Manaea ended the regular season with a 6-2 record and a 3.09 ERA over his final 12 starts. 

The Phillies will counter with right-hander Aaron Nola, who has a 2.49 ERA in 12 starts at Citi Field dating back to 2018.

Dodgers vs. Padres

On the West Coast, the rivalry between the Dodgers and Padres has been equally intense. With the series tied 1-1, they head to Petco Park for Game 3 on Tuesday night, where the animosity between these Southern California foes has already boiled over.

Tensions flared between Padres third baseman Manny Machado and Dodgers pitcher Jack Flaherty, as well as Padres left fielder Jurickson Profar and Dodgers catcher Will Smith, highlighting the heated emotions driving this series.

The Dodgers set the tone early in the series with a huge moment from designated hitter Shohei Ohtani. In Game 1, Ohtani launched a towering three-run homer, erasing an early deficit and fueling a Dodgers victory. His postseason debut for Los Angeles couldn’t have been more impactful.

But the Padres were equally determined to seize control, with right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. delivering a scorching performance, hitting .643 with three homers in his last four games.

“I can’t wait to be back home in front of our fans,” Tatis Jr. told FS1. “The Dodgers, they’re just not going to sit down and watch us go with our business. So same energy, same attitude. Show up and just win a ballgame.”

The Padres eliminated the Dodgers at home in the 2022 NLDS, while the Dodgers haven’t won a postseason road game since 2021.

Game 3 will be a showdown of aces. Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler brings a stellar postseason pedigree, sporting a 2.94 ERA over 79 2/3 innings in 15 playoff starts. 

Padres right-hander Michael King is coming off a stellar postseason debut against the Braves. In that outing, he struck out 12 batters without allowing a run. King will aim to keep his hot streak going as he takes the mound in Game 3.