"Mets don't have a Yu Darvish" - MLB insider doubts Shohei Ohtani will be troubled by Sean Manaea, Jose Quintana, or David Peterson in NLCS
On Monday, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal talked about Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers' ongoing NLCS clash with the New York Mets. The Dodgers currently lead the series, 1-0, thanks to a commanding 9-0 win in the opening game of the series on Sunday.
After an incredible regular season, becoming the first player to ever record a 50-50 season and winning the NL West title with the Dodgers, Ohtani takes part in his first ever postseason in 2024.
After hitting a crucial home run in the opening game of the NLDS against the San Diego Padres, the 30-year-old has not had much production of note in the games since.
On October 14's edition of "Fair Territory," Rosenthal indicated that may soon change, as the series with the Mets continues.
"The Mets are not going to be able to stop Shohei Ohtani, particularly with their bullpen. They've got some left-handed starters, Sean Manaea, who starts in Game 2, and Jose Quintana, that gives the Mets a shot against Shohei Ohtani. David Peterson out of the bullpen, in theory, that gives the Mets a shot with Ohtani as well. They (Mets) bring Peterson out of the bullpen last night (Sunday). First meeting, 117-mph double, and here we go," Rosenthal said. [0:50]
"That is my concern for the Mets. Obviously they're a really good team, and you can't count them out. But, I still don't see them quite in the same way as far as pitching talent is concerned. Remember, Yu Darvish too held Ohtani hitless in six at-bats. Mets don't really have a Darvish," Rosenthal added. [1:48]
Shohei Ohtani records RBI, scores two runs himself as Dodgers rout Mets in NLCS opener
The Los Angeles Dodgers took a 1-0 lead in the NLCS on Sunday, as they convincingly beat the New York Mets, 9-0, at Dodger Stadium. Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty had a stellar outing, pitching seven innings, allowing only two hits and shutting out the visitors.
On the other hand, Kodai Senga, who was a bit of a bit of a gamble by Mets skipper Carlos Mendoza after having injury problems all season, was unable to cope with the Dodgers' offense and ended up conceding three runs in only 1.1 innings on the mound.
Superstar Shohei Ohtani played a key role for the hosts, as he recorded an RBI and ran in two runs himself on perhaps a much more comfortable night at home than the NL West champions would have expected going into the game.
With the Dodgers clicking both offensively and defensively at the moment, fans will be hoping for a repeat of Sunday's performance as the two sides face off again in LA for the second game of the NLCS on Monday.