NLDS: New York Mets vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

The New York Mets overcame the early power of their division rival the Washington Nationals to take the National League East crown and advance to the postseason. The LA Dodgers used their aces Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw to push them ahead of the reigning World Series’ Champion San Francisco Giants.  Now the Mets and Dodgers will face-off at Dodger Stadium this weekend for the first two games of the five game series before they head back East for the third and possibly fourth game of the series.

Game 1 Matchup:

Although the Mets have a stable of young talent, right-hander Jacob deGrom (2.54, 14-8)  has shown that he is ready for the postseason in just his first full season in the Majors. Lefty Clayton Kershaw (2.13, 16-7) who has been no stranger to the playoffs, but has just a 1-5 record to show for it. Kershaw came off a second half push which  led him to 300 strikeouts on the year.

deGrom, the reigning 2014 National League Rookie of the Year, has been the Mets best asset this season, surpassing over 200 strikeouts, he looks to be one of the best match-ups for the Mets against the Dodgers. deGrom has started just once against the Dodgers in 2015 where he went 7 2/3 innings, allowing just two hits.

In his last 17 starts, Clayton Kershaw had posted just an ERA of just 1.22. while he has experience against this Mets lineup, there are a few rookies he has never met before. One batter Kershaw won’t miss is Ruben Tejada who has a career .357 average against the left-hander.

Game 2 Matchup:

On Saturday night, the Mets will send rookie right-hander Noah Syndergaard (3.24, 9-7) up against Dodgers’ righty Zack Freinke (1.66, 19-3) who is having a breakout season of his own.

Syndergaard has had a solid season, striking out 166 in the Majors and recording nine wins. In his last start of the regular season last weekend, Syndergaard went seven innings allowing two hist and one run while striking out an impressive ten batters.

Greinke, who looks like he will be included in Cy Young talks, went at least six innings in every start this season and kept his ERA below 2.00. He also led the league in winning percentage with .864 while achieving a career high nineteen wins. Look for David Wright, Travis d’Arnaud and Wilmer Flores to have the best success against Greinke as they all have hit over .300 in their career.

Look for the pitching matchups and lineups for games three through five later this weekend.