Dodgers defeat Mets 10-5 in NLCS to secure spot against Yankees in World Series

LOS ANGELES — Tommy Edman and Will Smith’s home runs propelled Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers to their first World Series appearance after defeating the New York Mets 10-5 in Game 6 of the NL Championship Series on Sunday night.

With this victory, the Dodgers secured their 25th NL pennant, marking the first time they accomplished this feat at home since 1988, when they triumphed over the Mets in a seven-game series. This advancement means they will compete in their 22nd World Series, the 13th held in Los Angeles, and their first appearance since clinching the title against the Tampa Bay Rays in 2020 during the delayed pandemic season.

Next on the agenda for Ohtani is a matchup against Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees, who are making a return to the World Series for the first time in 15 years, marking their 41st series overall. Game 1 is set for Friday at Dodger Stadium, featuring two of MLB’s leading home-run hitters this season: Judge with 58 home runs and Ohtani with 54.

This encounter will be the twelfth clash between these iconic franchises in the World Series and the first in 43 years. The Yankees lead the all-time series with eight victories over the Dodgers, who managed to secure their two championships against New York in 1981 and 1955.

Ohtani, who recently joined the Dodgers on a record-setting contract after his stint with the Los Angeles Angels, contributed significantly to the Game 6 win with two hits and two runs scored. He performed admirably in the NLCS as well, ending with a .364 batting average, two home runs, and six RBIs.

This success marks Ohtani’s first postseason experience after six years with the Angels, a period that saw neither a winning record nor a playoff appearance.

In the eighth inning, Dodgers reliever Blake Treinen made a strong return by striking out Brandon Nimmo, Mark Vientos, and Pete Alonso consecutively, successfully completing his first two-inning appearance since the 2021 NLCS.

Despite briefly falling behind at 1-0 early in the game, the Dodgers rallied thanks to Edman, who delivered a crucial performance. He was instrumental in driving in the Dodgers’ first four runs and his total of 11 RBIs during the NLCS matched the franchise record previously set by Corey Seager in 2020 against Atlanta. Edman joined the Dodgers after a trade from St. Louis at the July deadline.

The Dodgers completed their series against the Mets with a decisive elimination, outscoring New York 40-26 across the six games. Each game showcased the Dodgers’ dominance, including two shutouts. Notably, the Mets, despite a rocky start to their season at 22-33, came remarkably close to reaching the World Series.