The Dodgers are set to make their third consecutive postseason appearance, while the Mets will play extra games for the first time since 2006. Both teams provide an exciting array of young talent grouped with veterans capable of leading their respective teams to the World Series.
Expect raucous crowds when the Mets host their first playoff game Monday.
MORE: Mets preview | Dodgers preview | Mets' best postseason moments
The Dodgers have experience on their side, plus two of the best pitchers in baseball. The Mets have to win one of the three games Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke pitch — which won't be easy.
Series Schedule:
Game 1: Friday, 9:45 p.m. ET, TBS
Game 2: Saturday, 9:07 p.m. ET, TBS
Game 3: Monday, TBA
Game 1 starters:
Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw (16-7, 2.03 ERA, 301 strikeouts). Mets: Jacob deGrom (14-8, 2.54 ERA)
Storylines:
Which Kershaw will show up?
If it's the version we saw go 11-1 with only 17 earned runs and 161 strikeouts in 125 2/3 innings since the beginning of July, the Mets will be in trouble. If it's the version that went 5-6 with 38 earned runs and 11 home runs allowed in 107 innings April through June — and struggled in the postseason his last two trips — the Dodgers will be in trouble. Kershaw looks nearly unhittable right now, for what it's worth, as he became the first pitcher to toss more than 300 strikeouts since Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling in 2002.
How many innings will Matt Harvey last?
The Harvey innings saga has provided almost as much speculation and entertainment as Deflategate did this summer. Originally, Harvey and his agent were under the impression Harvey would be shut down for the season after 185 pitches, then the Mets said Harvey would pitch his normal slate. Then, the Mets had Harvey skip a couple starts down the stretch, so he currently sits at 189 1/3 innings pitched and looks likely to pitch a full slate in the postseason. He hasn't lasted more than 6 2/3 innings since Aug. 11, though.
Impact players:
Dodgers — Adrian Gonzalez, 1B; Corey Seager, SS
Gonzalez has been battling a back ailment recently, but the 33-year-old slugger remains one of the best all-around hitters in baseball. Gonzalez ended the season with a .275/.350/.830 slash line, 28 home runs and 90 RBIs. A lot has been made about what Carlos Correa has done in Houston, and rightly so, but the Dodgers found a star shortstop of their own this season. Seager, 21, hit the majors running and hasn't slowed down thus far. He enters the postseason with a .337/.425/.986 slash line, four home runs and 17 RBIs in just 27 games.
Mets — Yoenis Cespedes, OF; David Wright, 3B
Tigers fans are still scratching their heads over the trade that sent Cespedes over to the Mets before the July 31 trade deadline in the midst of a career year. On the other hand, New York fans have embraced their new slugger, who has a .287/.337/.942 slash line with 17 home runs and 44 RBIs in 57 games with the Mets. Wright missed the better part of four months early in the season, but came back to collect 12 multi-hit games in 30 starts to end the season. Wright, 32, is the leader on and off the field, which is important on this young, inexperienced squad.
Numbers to watch:
The Dodgers have home-field advantage, which is important for them because they went 55-26 at home opposed to 37-44 on the road this season.
The Mets tied the Cubs for the second-worst team average in the majors at .244, but finished tied for eighth in home runs with 177.
The Dodgers finished the regular season 4-0 in October, outscoring their opponents 17-8, which should give them confidence heading into the playoffs.
The Mets finished the season fourth in team ERA (3.53) and tied for second in WHIP (1.18), so despite having several young arms in the rotation, the Mets will likely be stingy allowing runs in the playoffs.
Regular season record against:
The Mets went 4-3 against the Dodgers during the regular season, outscoring Los Angeles 33-19, including a 15-2 drubbing on July 25.
Series prediction:
Dodgers 3, Mets 1.
The Dodgers, on the strength of Kershaw and Greinke, will find a way to get it done. Los Angeles has a bevy of injuries, but the Mets are still a couple years away from a deep run.