Dodgers romp Mets, pull ahead in NLCS

The Dodgers may have stumbled in Game 2, but they came roaring back in Game 3, silencing the Mets with an 8-0 shutout at Citi Field. Walker Buehler’s gritty performance set the tone, and the bats finally woke up in a big way, leaving New York scrambling.

Coming into the game, the Dodgers were itching to make a statement after their 33-inning scoreless streak got snapped. And Buehler, despite not having his sharpest command, delivered the goods. He went four solid innings without giving up a run, and though he wasn’t flawless, his competitive edge kept the Mets from ever getting comfortable. The bullpen took over from there, continuing its October dominance, and by the end of the night, L.A. had notched its fourth shutout in five games.

The Mets sent Kodai Senga to the mound, hoping his electric stuff could keep their momentum alive, but the Dodgers had other plans. The first crack in New York’s armor came early when Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman both managed to get on base in the third. That’s when J.D. Martinez smashed a double to center, driving in two. A 2-0 lead felt like a lifeline to a Dodgers team that knows how to protect a lead when the stakes are high.

But it was in the sixth inning when L.A. really flexed its muscles. Kiké Hernández stepped up and unloaded on a Senga offering, sending it deep into the New York night for a two-run shot. That gave the Dodgers a 4-0 cushion, and it felt like the Mets were starting to crack under the weight of the moment.

As if that weren’t enough, Shohei Ohtani, already making his presence felt this postseason, delivers the knockout blow in the eighth with a towering three-run homer. It’s his second of the playoffs, and when Max Muncy adds a solo shot in the ninth, the Dodgers officially turned the game into a rout.

Buehler’s outing was full of tension, especially in the second inning when the Mets loaded the bases with one out. But Buehler dug deep, fanning Francisco Alvarez with a wicked fastball before inducing Francisco Lindor to chase a curveball that leaves him swinging at air. Citi Field, ready to explode, suddenly went silent. Buehler walked off the mound screaming, fists pumping. It’s a familiar scene for Dodger fans, one they’ve seen him perform in high-pressure spots before.

From there, the bullpen – Evan Phillips, Brusdar Graterol, and Ryan Brasier – locks down the Mets’ lineup. Not a single runner crosses the plate, and New York’s hopes seem to dim with every inning. By the time Ohtani’s homer left the park, Mets fans started heading for the exits.

With the win, the Dodgers now lead the series 2-1, putting them in a commanding spot. Teams that win Game 3 in a 1-1 series have gone on to win nearly 70% of the time, and under the 2-3-2 format, that percentage jumps even higher for the team that wins on the road. The Mets will now need to dig deep to even the score and prevent L.A. from pushing them to the brink of elimination.

It‘s now up to the Mets to respond, with Game 4 on the horizon. But with the Dodgers’ bats waking up and Buehler setting the tone, this series is starting to feel like it’s slipping away from New York.