The 2024 NLCS has been an exchange of blowouts so far, and the New York Mets were on the good side in Game 5 with a 12-6 win. Facing Jack Flaherty, who shut them down in Game 1 across seven innings, the Mets responded by knocking him around over the case of three innings. Pete Alonso got it started, loudly, with a three-run homer, then five more runs followed in the third inning.
SMASHING PUMPKINS 🎃 PETE ALONSO THREE-RUN TANK — MLB (@MLB) The Dodgers could have been more aggressive in pulling Flaherty, but clearly decided to do whatever it takes to get through the game without using their better bullpen arms. They replaced Flaherty with mop-up man Brent Honeywell Jr., who threw the next five innings to finish out the game.
The game wasn't over after the third inning, though. While the Dodgers were austere with their bullpen, their vaunted offense still did enough damage against the Mets' middle relief to pull within a grand slam of New York in the sixth inning. That was as close as they would get.
The Mets decided to take no chances, using set-up man Ryne Stanek and close Edwin Diaz for the final 12 outs of the game. It was an aggressive move, but with neither reliever appearing since Game 2 on Monday, the aggression came with the benefit of keeping them warm. The series will now head back to Los Angeles, where a more favorable matchup awaits the Mets in Game 6.
They will likely have Sean Manaea, who shut down the Dodgers in Game 2, going against a bullpen game for the D.