The Los Angeles Dodgers came into Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the New York Mets with confidence and a drive to make a statement. Facing the Mets for the first time at this stage since their 1988 showdown—where the Dodgers edged out the Mets en route to a World Series win—Los Angeles looked every bit like a championship team as they cruised to a 9-0 victory without even needing a home run.
In a game marked by relentless offense and lockdown defense, the Dodgers showed why they’re a serious postseason contender. The energy peaked in the eighth inning when Mookie Betts stepped up with the bases loaded. With Enrique Hernandez on third, Kevin Kiermaier on second, and Shohei Ohtani on first, Betts cracked a base-clearing double, stretching the Dodgers’ lead to a commanding 9-0 and sealing the win.
Shohei Ohtani, who has been both impactful and humble since joining the Dodgers, credited the entire team for the victory. “I’m just really lucky. The team has been providing me with plenty of chances to hit with runners in scoring position, and I’m grateful for that,” Ohtani said after the game. His own performance spoke volumes—he went 2-for-4, driving in a run and scoring twice. Ohtani’s RBI single in the second inning put the Dodgers up 3–0 and knocked Mets starter Kodai Senga out of the game after only 1⅓ innings.
The Dodgers’ pitching, led by Jack Flaherty, continued their recent dominance, extending their streak of not allowing a run since Game 2 of the NLDS against the Padres. Flaherty was near-flawless over seven innings, allowing just two hits, two walks, and striking out six. With relief pitchers Daniel Hudson and Ben Casparis maintaining the shutout, the Dodgers proved they are a force on both sides of the ball.
The Mets, however, struggled from the start. Kodai Senga’s short-lived outing put New York on the back foot, as he surrendered three early runs and four walks, forcing the Mets to cycle through four relievers. Only Danny Young managed to hold the Dodgers scoreless, but the damage had already been done.
With Game 2 set for Monday at Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers have shown they mean business. After this commanding 9-0 win, have the Dodgers just established themselves as the team to beat this postseason?
