The MLB playoffs are heating up with two thrilling National League Division Series Game 2s on Sunday.
The New York Mets face the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, while the San Diego Padres take on the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Both the Mets and Dodgers hold a 1-0 lead in their series, adding pressure for the Phillies and Padres to avoid falling into a daunting 0-2 hole. No team has climbed back from such a deficit since the Yankees did it against Cleveland in 2017.
This sets up an intriguing day of baseball with key questions looming over each matchup.
Can Cristopher Sánchez Handle the Mets’ Right-Handed Power?
Aaron Nola is saved for Game 3 by Philly, so Cristopher Sánchez gets the nod for Game 2. The decision is based on his home success, but there’s another factor: how he fares against right-handed hitters. This season, lefties have struggled against him with a .612 OPS and a strong K/BB ratio of 5.33. However, right-handers have found more success with a .672 OPS and a lower K/BB ratio of 3.18.
Facing Sánchez are potent righty bats like Francisco Lindor (batting righty), Mark Vientos, Pete Alonso, J.D. Martinez, Starling Marte, and Francisco Alvarez. The Mets rank high against left-handed pitching this season; they’re fifth in MLB with an OPS of .769 versus southpaws. Fans might wonder if Sánchez can rise to this challenge or if he’ll struggle under pressure.
Will the Mets Pull Off Another Comeback?
This season has been full of surprises for the Mets as they lead MLB in comeback wins! Recently they’ve had four comebacks just this week: Saturday’s victory over Philly was one of them when they scored five runs in an eighth-inning rally after Zack Wheeler exited.
Their ability to fight back is impressive considering they were once deep in trouble—11 games below .500! Since then? They’ve become unstoppable! Another comeback would be both shocking yet expected given their recent form.
The Mets have the most comeback wins this season
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX)
Which Jack Flaherty Will Show Up for L.A.?
The Dodgers have faced injury woes aplenty but added Jack Flaherty from Detroit before trade deadlines hit hard last summer—and what timing too! His performance post-trade saw mixed results; while effective overall (3.58 ERA), luck played part due high FIP (4.16).
Flaherty’s inconsistency makes him unpredictable—sometimes he shines bright like diamond other times not so much—but lately consistency eludes him altogether: ten earned runs allowed across final three regular-season starts isn’t ideal preparation heading into playoffs where every pitch counts especially given Yoshinobu Yamamoto lasted only three innings previously!
Can Yu Darvish Tame L.A.’s Power Bats?
Yu Darvish missed time due injury plus family matters limiting appearances down stretch yet returned strong enough posting decent numbers despite challenges faced along way including six homers surrendered during final five outings alone!
Dodgers boast formidable lineup ranking second overall major leagues slugging percentage versus RHPs making task ahead daunting indeed requiring all skill experience veteran brings table ensuring Padres stay alive series tied instead staring elimination squarely face upon return San Diego shores soon thereafter…
What do you think will happen next?
