Mets’ Sean Manaea, Edwin Diaz unfazed by Dodgers hitters in NLCS Game 2 win

After allowing nine runs in Game 1 of the NLCS on Sunday, the Mets pitching staff held the powerful Dodgers’ lineup to just three runs in Monday’s Game 2 win.

Starter Sean Manaea struck out seven and tossed five innings before the bullpen took over with the bases loaded in the sixth inning. Phil Maton, Ryne Stanek, and Edwin Diaz each escaped a jam and threw 1.1 IP to close out the final four innings. More impressively, the four pitchers held the heart of the Dodgers order hitless — a combined 0-for-19 with five walks against Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernandez, Freddie Freeman, and Will Smith.

Manaea struck out Ohtani twice and got him to pop out, as the star slugger finished 0-for-3 with two walks. After the win, the left-hander asked how it was to get the likely NL MVP out three times, saying it’s just part of his job.

“It’s great, he’s just one of the guys in the lineup,” Manaea said. “I’m just trying to do my job and put up zeros. Obviously, he’s very talented, so I’m just trying to get on to the next guy and do my job.”

New York took a commanding 6-0 lead in the second inning after Mark Vientos‘ grand slam, as Manaea said the run support certainly helps, but doesn’t change his game plan.

“It doesn’t really change anything, still just trying to attack guys and get ahead and go right after them,” Manaea said. “With a big lead like that it just makes it so you can breathe a little bit. Not trying to do too much. Definitely helps out a lot.”

With New York up 6-3 in the eighth and two runners on, Carlos Mendoza opted to bring in Diaz to get the final four outs of the game. The closer threw four straight sliders before getting Enrique Hernández to fly out and end the eighth.

“I just was following Alvy [Francisco Alvarez],” Diaz told SNY’s Steve Gelbs after the game. “I was feeling good with my slider today. I think I threw it really good in the bullpen. I just follow him, made good pitches, and get the out in the eighth.”

Diaz then got into some trouble in the ninth by letting up a single and walking Ohtani, but he found a way to settle down and throw strikes with his fastball instead to get the final three outs.

“We are winning by four runs, I get some traffic, the blooper, and then the walk to Ohtani,” Diaz said. “Then I say I got to keep trusting my stuff. My fastball was really good today We started throwing it and we got outs.”

He added on his fastball: “It’s really good, good life. I have a lot of good life in my fastball, it feels really, really good. I think that’s the pitch that can get me out of trouble. I will keep throwing it.”

Like Manaea, Diaz said he doesn’t change his approach when facing a hitter like Ohtani. The star is now 0-for-4 against Diaz in his career (including postseason) over six plate appearances.

“My last two ABs against him, I’ve walked him, but at the same time I try to challenge him,” Diaz said. “He’s one of the best in the league, but I got really good stuff. I trust my stuff always against any hitters. To him, I just go after him. Hit the ball, if you get to two strikes, I will try to make you chase.”

With the NLCS now tied at 1-1 and heading back to New York for Games 3 through 5, Diaz and the Mets hope to continue this run and wrap things up at Citi Field.

“Personally I feel great, got a W here in LA,” Diaz said. “Going back home, play three more games there, we have a chance to take the series at home…. Just continue what we’re doing and we’ll be fine.”