Ohtani and Lindor are set to lead as the Dodgers-Mets NLCS moves to New York City for Game 3 on Wednesday.
The National League Championship Series prominently features Shohei Ohtani and Francisco Lindor, who are positioned at the top of the batting order.
Both players are anticipated to contend for the top two spots in the NL MVP voting and have already made significant contributions in the early stages of their playoff matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets.
They are acutely aware that only one of them will advance to the World Series.
Ohtani remarked on Tuesday, through an interpreter, “Both of us find ourselves in a situation where our regular season achievements are behind us, and what truly matters is our performance during the postseason. I believe we share a certain connection in this regard.”
With the best-of-seven series currently tied at one game apiece, the focus now shifts to Citi Field for Game 3 on Wednesday night, where Walker Buehler is set to take the mound for Los Angeles against Luis Severino.
Following a relaxed workout session held by the Mets in the late afternoon, Ohtani and the Dodgers engaged in batting practice under the stadium lights on Tuesday evening.
Ohtani expressed his thoughts on Lindor, stating, “He strikes me as a genuinely good person. He has a cheerful demeanor and seems to be a leader for his team.”
Lindor was inquired about what he particularly admires regarding his exceptionally talented counterpart from the Dodgers.
“I admire his footwear. He has impressive cleats,” remarked the Mets’ star shortstop, eliciting laughter from the reporters present in the interview room.
“I respect his ability to remain true to himself. From the very beginning, he has faced significant pressure. There have been numerous eyes and cameras focused on him, yet he has managed to maintain his composure and not let the attention overwhelm him. To me, that is remarkable. He has excelled in navigating his career effectively, regardless of where he has played.”
These attributes were evident as the teams divided the first two games at Dodger Stadium.
Ohtani, who had been largely contained during his initial postseason this month, contributed an RBI single early in the series opener and hit another single that struck the right-center fence, resulting in two additional runs. He also drew a walk and scored twice as Los Angeles triumphed with a 9-0 victory.
Lindor, who went 0 for 3 with a walk in Game 1, quickly made an impact the following day by hitting a leadoff home run after an eight-pitch at-bat, during which he fouled off four consecutive pitches from Ryan Brasier.
This home run ended a 33-inning scoreless streak for Dodgers pitchers, matching a postseason record.
In the subsequent inning, Los Angeles opted to intentionally walk Lindor to load the bases for Mark Vientos, who then hit a grand slam, propelling the Mets to a 6-0 advantage en route to a 7-3 win in Game 2.
With this victory, New York reestablished its position in the series.
“I take great pleasure in initiating plays,” Lindor stated. “It energizes both the crowd and the team.”
Ohtani has also embraced his role as a leadoff hitter, a position that was once considered unconventional for a player of his power.
However, that perception has changed.
“I believe we find great comfort in the idea of giving our best hitter multiple opportunities to generate instant offense, while also trusting that the players at the bottom of the order can create some disruption and get on base. I thought we executed that strategy effectively in Game 1,” commented a representative from the Dodgers.
Provide him with opportunities. I cannot foresee the outcome of the game. However, I am confident in predicting that Shohei will secure the first hit and maximize the at-bats from our offense.
Relax
The temperature at the start of the game on Wednesday night is anticipated to be slightly above 50 degrees and will decrease thereafter. In contrast, the initial two games in Los Angeles were played in a comfortable 73 degrees.
“The dynamic between the East Coast and West Coast, particularly between LA and New York, is quite fascinating. I expect the atmosphere to be electric tomorrow. What excites me the most is the noise and the energy, along with the intense pressure felt with each pitch, which I have come to truly appreciate,” Buehler remarked.
“I personally enjoy pitching in colder conditions. I am not entirely sure why. During my college years at Vanderbilt, I recall that my first ten starts one season were all in temperatures below 30 degrees. It is something I have grown accustomed to, or at least was once accustomed to.”
Initiate
Buehler recorded a 1-6 record with a 5.38 ERA over 16 starts this season after missing the entirety of 2023 due to his second Tommy John surgery. He suffered a loss in Game 3 of the Division Series against San Diego, where he allowed all six runs in a single inning, an outcome that was somewhat unfortunate.
“I feel a sense of confidence. I believe that has been one of my greatest assets for a long time,” Buehler stated. “At times this year, that confidence has fluctuated. However, in the last six to eight starts, I have felt as though I am laying down the foundations for improvement. I hope to continue this progress.”
Severino holds a 1-0 record with a 4.50 ERA in two playoff starts, following an 11-7 record with a 3.91 ERA in his inaugural season with the Mets. He has pitched a total of 194 innings, including postseason play this year, and will be competing after nine days of rest.
Severino expressed, "At this moment, my arm feels quite similar, and I am feeling positive about it. I simply need to adhere to my established routine."
The right-handed pitcher mentioned his intention to review how Padres pitcher Yu Darvish managed to find success against Ohtani in their Division Series matchup.
"Darvish has proven himself in high-stakes games. There are players who have prior experience facing him," Roberts remarked. "We will be prepared for any strategies he may employ against us."
SportsLigue