Francisco Lindor has become the Dodgers’ worst nightmare in the NLCS. The Mets’ star shortstop not only led the Mets into the playoffs, but he also came out swinging in Game 2 against Los Angeles, crushing a leadoff homer to break the Dodgers’ postseason scoreless streak and tie the series 1-1. Mets president David Stearns was spot on when he said Lindor “excels at every aspect of the game,” and now, Dodgers fans are left wondering—could he have been doing it in Dodger blue?
As it turns out, that was almost a reality. Dodgers president Andrew Friedman recently admitted that Lindor had been high on their target list as early as 2019, during the team’s hunt for a player who could help them break their championship drought. Though Friedman said “there was traction,” the deal never came through, and the Dodgers eventually struck a trade for Mookie Betts. Still, Lindor’s consistent performance and long-term potential—he averaged 34 home runs from 2017 to 2019—might’ve made him an even more valuable acquisition.
In Game 2, Lindor’s performance spoke for itself. After a 9-0 loss in Game 1, Lindor set the tone for a Mets comeback with his first-pitch blast. The Mets hadn’t seen a postseason leadoff homer since 2015, and Lindor’s clutch performance proved he’s not just a leader on paper; he’s one on the field, too. As the Dodgers grapple with what could have been, Lindor continues to prove he’s the heartbeat of this Mets squad.
Did the Dodgers miss their golden opportunity by not signing Lindor? And how will the showdown play out in Game 3? Let us know your thoughts and predictions below!
