For the first time since 2015, the Mets are going to the NLCS.
New York secured its spot in the National League Championship Series with a Game 4 win over Philadelphia on Wednesday night. The Mets defeated the Phillies, 4-1, thanks to a grand slam by star shortstop Francisco Lindor, knocking off their NL East rivals in four games in the best-of-five series.
In June, the Mets were one of the worst teams in baseball, falling 11 games under .500 and were at risk of letting the season slip away. However, a strong second half helped New York secure a spot in the postseason, finishing as the No. 5 seed in the NL.
Pete Alonso propelled the Mets to the NLDS by stunning the Brewers in Game 3 of the wild-card round, setting up the divisional matchup with the Phillies. After splitting the first two games, New York took the next two contests in Queens, moving even closer to a shot at the World Series.
But who is up next for the Mets? The Sporting News explains New York’s opponent for the NLCS.
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Who do Mets play next?
With the Mets winning Game 4 on Wednesday night, they eliminated the Phillies and advanced to the NLCS. Then, after beating the Padres in Game 5 of their division series matchup, the Dodgers also advanced to the next round, setting up a matchup between New York and Los Angeles.
New York had to bide its time before finding out its NLCS opponent, as it took a decisive fifth game for the Dodgers to eliminate the Padres. However, the Mets are now set to face baseball’s top regular season team with a trip to the World Series on the line.
The Mets went 2-4 against the Dodgers during the regular season. Los Angeles posted a record of 98-64, winning the NL West for the third year in a row and 11th time in the last 12 years.
MORE: How Jose Iglesias started New York’s ‘OMG’ rallying cry for 2024 playoffs
When does the NLCS start?
Game 1 of the NLCS between the Mets and Dodgers will take place Sunday, Oct. 13. As the higher seed, Los Angeles will host Games 1 and 2.
Since the Mets needed just four games to knock off the Phillies, New York is getting three days off before the next round begins, allowing Carlos Mendoza the option to rest his bullpen and reset his starting rotation.
MLB playoff schedule, results 2024
Wild Card Series scores
Tuesday, Oct. 1
Scores |
Game 1: Tigers 3, Astros 1 |
Game 1: Royals 1, Orioles 0 |
Game 1: Mets 8, Brewers 4 |
Game 1: Padres 4, Braves 0 |
Wednesday, Oct. 2
Scores |
Game 2: Tigers 5, Astros 2 (Tigers advance) |
Game 2: Royals 2, Orioles 1 (Royals advance) |
Game 2: Brewers 5, Mets 3 |
Game 2: Padres 5, Braves 4 (Padres advance) |
Thursday, Oct. 3
Scores |
Game 3: Mets 4, Brewers 2 (Mets advance) |
MORE: Sporting News predicts the 2024 MLB postseason
Division Series schedule, scores
Saturday, Oct. 5
Scores |
Game 1: Guardians 7, Tigers 0 |
Game 1: Mets 6, Phillies 2 |
Game 1: Yankees 6, Royals 5 |
Game 1: Dodgers 7, Padres 5 |
Sunday, Oct. 6
Scores |
Game 2: Phillies 7, Mets 6 |
Game 2: Padres 10, Dodgers 2 |
Monday, Oct. 7
Scores |
Game 2: Tigers 3, Guardians 0 |
Game 2: Royals 4, Yankees 2 |
Tuesday, Oct. 8
Scores |
Game 3: Mets 7, Phillies 2 |
Game 3: Padres 6, Dodgers 5 |
Wednesday, Oct. 9
Game |
Game 3: Tigers 3, Guardians 0 |
Game 4: Mets 4, Phillies 1 |
Game 3: Yankees 3, Royals 2 |
Game 4: Dodgers 8, Padres 0 |
Thursday, Oct. 10
Game |
Game 4: Guardians 5, Tigers 4 |
Game 4: Yankees 3, Royals 1 |
Friday, Oct. 11
Game |
Game 5: Dodgers 2, Padres 0 |
Saturday, Oct. 12
Game |
Time (ET) |
TV/Live stream |
Game 5: Guardians vs. Tigers |
8:08 p.m. |
TBS, Sling
|
League Championship Series schedule
Sunday, Oct. 13
Game |
Time (ET) |
TV/Live stream |
Game 1: Mets vs. Dodgers |
8:15 p.m. |
Fox/FS1, Fubo
|
Monday, Oct. 14
Game |
Time (ET) |
TV/Live stream |
Game 1: Yankees vs. Guardians/Tigers |
7:37 p.m. |
TBS, truTV, Sling
|
Game 2: Mets vs. Dodgers |
4:08 p.m. |
Fox/FS1, Fubo
|
Tuesday, Oct. 15
Game |
Time (ET) |
TV/Live stream |
Game 2: Yankees vs. Guardians/Tigers |
7:37 p.m. |
TBS, truTV, Sling
|
Wednesday, Oct. 16
Game |
Time (ET) |
TV/Live stream |
Game 3: Mets vs. Dodgers |
8:08 p.m. |
Fox/FS1, Fubo
|
Thursday, Oct. 17
Game |
Time (ET) |
TV/Live stream |
Game 3: Yankees vs. Guardians/Tigers |
TBD |
TBS, truTV, Sling
|
Game 4: Mets vs. Dodgers |
TBD |
Fox/FS1, Fubo
|
Friday, Oct. 18
Game |
Time (ET) |
TV/Live stream |
Game 4: Yankees vs. Guardians/Tigers |
TBD |
TBS, truTV, Sling
|
Game 5*: Mets vs. Dodgers |
TBD |
Fox/FS1, Fubo
|
* – if necessary
Saturday, Oct. 19
Game |
Time (ET) |
TV/Live stream |
Game 5*: Yankees vs. Guardians/Tigers |
TBD |
TBS, truTV, Sling
|
* – if necessary
Sunday, Oct. 20
Game |
Time (ET) |
TV/Live stream |
Game 6*: Mets vs. Dodgers |
TBD |
Fox/FS1, Fubo
|
* – if necessary
Monday, Oct. 21
Game |
Time (ET) |
TV/Live stream |
Game 6*: Yankees vs. Guardians/Tigers |
TBD |
TBS, truTV, Sling
|
Game 7*: Mets vs. Dodgers |
TBD |
Fox/FS1, Fubo
|
* – if necessary
Tuesday, Oct. 22
Game |
Time (ET) |
TV/Live stream |
Game 7*: Yankees vs. Guardians/Tigers |
TBD |
TBS, truTV, Sling
|
* – if necessary
World Series schedule
The World Series could move up to an earlier start if both LCS finish by Oct. 19. If that happens, the World Series will begin Oct. 22 with a potential Game 7 set for Oct. 30.
Friday, Oct. 25
Game |
Time (ET) |
TV/Live stream |
Game 1: AL vs. NL (at better record) |
TBD |
Fox, Fubo
|
Saturday, Oct. 26
Game |
Time (ET) |
TV/Live stream |
Game 2: AL vs. NL |
TBD |
Fox, Fubo
|
Monday, Oct. 28
Game |
Time (ET) |
TV/Live stream |
Game 3: AL vs. NL |
TBD |
Fox, Fubo
|
Tuesday, Oct. 29
Game |
Time (ET) |
TV/Live stream |
Game 4: AL vs. NL |
TBD |
Fox, Fubo
|
Wednesday, Oct. 30
Game |
Time (ET) |
TV/Live stream |
Game 5*: AL vs. NL |
TBD |
Fox, Fubo
|
* – if necessary
Friday, Nov. 1
Game |
Time (ET) |
TV/Live stream |
Game 6*: AL vs. NL |
TBD |
Fox, Fubo
|
* – if necessary
Saturday, Nov. 2
Game |
Time (ET) |
TV/Live stream |
Game 7*: AL vs. NL |
TBD |
Fox, Fubo
|
* – if necessary