All eyes turn to the National League Championship Series on Sunday, when the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers play NLCS Game 6 at Dodger Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 8:08 p.m. ET; the game will be broadcast on FS1 with other streaming/viewing options that include MLB.TV, Fubo and Sling TV.
The Mets hand the ball to their best pitcher, Sean Manaea, who held the Dodgers in check in Game 2. The Dodgers will go with another bullpen game that will be opened by right-hander Michael Kopech. The Dodgers, however, will be without first baseman Freddie Freeman (ankle) for Game 6.
Mets vs Dodgers odds have the Dodgers as -155 moneyline favorites and the Mets as +130 underdogs. The over/under is a consensus 8.5 (-115o / -105u). The Dodgers are +130 to cover the run line (-1.5) and the Mets are -155 to cover (+1.5).
Can the stubborn Mets force a Game 7? Find out in my preview below, which includes my Mets vs Dodgers predictions and picks — plus the latest NLCS Game 6 odds, lineups, injury updates and more.
My Mets vs Dodgers Predictions for Game 6
- Mets vs Dodgers pick: Sean Manaea Under 15.5 Outs (-135)
My Mets vs Dodgers best bet is a player prop: Sean Manaea Under 15.5 Outs at -135. The best line is available at DraftKings, but make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Mets vs Dodgers Odds, Predictions, Picks
| New York Mets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Over/Under | Run Line |
+130 | 8.5 -115o / -105u | +1.5 -155 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Over/Under | Run Line |
-155 | 8.5 -115o / -105u | -1.5 +130 |
- Mets vs Dodgers Moneyline: Mets +130, Dodgers -155
- Mets vs Dodgers Total: Over/Under 8.5 (-115o / -105u)
- Mets vs Dodgers Run Line: Mets +1.5 (-160), Dodgers -1.5 (+135)
Mets vs Dodgers Game 6 Probable Starting Pitchers
| LHP Sean Manaea (NYM) | Stat | RHP Michael Kopech (LAD) |
|---|---|---|
| 12-6 | W-L | 6-8 |
| 2.8 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 0.4 |
| 3.47 / 3.75 | ERA /xERA | 3.46 / 3.46 |
| 3.83 / 4.04 | FIP / xFIP | 4.02 / 3.81 |
| 1.08 | WHIP | 1.15 |
| 16.4% | K-BB% | 19.4% |
| 37.6% | GB% | 37.6% |
| 90 | Stuff+ | 142 |
| 97 | Location+ | 98 |
Mets vs Dodgers Previews, Prediction, Lineups
Mets Game 6 Betting Preview
Mets Game 6 Lineup
- Francisco Lindor (SS)
- Brandon Nimmo (LF)
- Mark Vientos (3B)
- Pete Alonso (1B)
- Jesse Winker (DH)
- Starling Marte (RF)
- Tyrone Taylor (CF)
- Jeff McNeil (2B)
- Francisco Alvarez (C)
Sean Manaea will take the mound again for the Mets after surging toward the end of the regular season. He had his struggles over the first half with an xFIP of 4.29, but since the All-Star Break, he's down to only 3.75.
The biggest change — by far — has been his command. He's lowered his walk rate from 10% to 6.8% and his Location+ rating has gone from 96 to 99. The other big change has been his sinker, which he throws more often — the Stuff+ rating on it has increased from 89 in the first half of the season to 104 in the second half.
That is because Manaea changed his arm angle to more of a side arm, which allowed him to be much more effective by having a low vertical approach angle to make his sinker more deceptive when he throws it up in the zone.
He was incredibly effective with it against the Dodgers in Game 2, when he threw 57 sinkers and only allowed four hard hits all game. It also set up his sweeper, which was virtually untouchable all game long.
The question is how long does Manaea last in this game? He was allowed to face the order a third time through in Game 2 because the Mets had to use a lot of pitchers in Game 1 and he was pitching with a big lead.
That decision kind of backfired because he ended up loading the bases. His numbers when seeing the order for the third time through this season also aren't that great.
Dodgers Game 6 Betting Preview
Dodgers Game 6 Lineup
- Shohei Ohtani (DH)
- Mookie Betts (RF)
- Teoscar Hernandez (LF)
- Tommy Edman (SS)
- Max Muncy (1B)
- Enrique Hernandez (3B)
- Andy Pages (CF)
- Will Smith (C)
- Chris Taylor (2B)
Because the Dodgers are limited with starting pitchers due to a plethora of injuries, manager Dave Roberts is stuck and is likely going to have to go with a full bullpen game. Ryan Brasier got the start in Game 2 and gave up one run, but it was Landon Knack who got hammered in the second inning for five runs.
With both teams having a day off on Saturday, I think it will an all-hands-on-deck situation for the Dodgers bullpen.
When their bullpen game was successful in NLDS Game 4 against the Padres, it was because Roberts used some of his best relievers — like Anthony Banda, Alex Vesia, Michael Kopech and Evan Phillips — early on in the game rather than going to someone like Knack or Brent Honeywell. Because their bullpen is rested, I think the plan will be to go to their best relievers first instead of trying to save them for later in the game.
Manaea's arm angle really fooled the Dodgers in Game 2, especially Shohei Ohtani. He struck him out twice and got him to pop up in his third at bat.
With three of the Dodgers' top-five hitters being lefties, it gives Manaea good matchups every time he sees the top of the order. The first two time through the order, the Dodgers didn't really do anything against him, but once they got to see him for a third time, they loaded up the bases.
While the Dodgers have hit the Mets bullpen pretty well throughout the series, it's really only been against a lot of the guys in the back end, or starters-turned-relievers like Tylor Megill and David Peterson.
Edwin Diaz, Ryne Stanek and Phil Maton have only given up a total of two runs throughout this series, and with this being an elimination game, the Mets will without a doubt go to their best relievers first.
Mets vs Dodgers Lines, Prop Betting Analysis
With an off-day on Saturday, the Mets bullpen is rested up and could have everyone available. You may even see Kodai Senga in this game, as I find it really hard to believe that Manaea will see the Dodgers' order the third time through after he loaded the bases in the sixth inning of Game 2.
The Dodgers' bullpen game didn't work in Game 2 because Landon Knack got shelled in the second inning. I think you will see the Dodgers deploy more of the plan they had against the Padres and use their best relievers first to give themselves the best possible matchups against a Mets offense that has hit all of the Dodgers starters pretty well in this series outside of Game 1.
The Mets bullpen has given up a lot of runs during this series, but three of their main relievers have been really good. Manager Carlos Mendoza will have a decision to make with how he handles Manaea, but in any case, the Mets will try to put themselves in the best possible matchups against the Dodgers offense.
Even though Manaea has been given a long leash throughout the playoffs, I don't think Mendoza will make the same mistake from Game 2 when he let the left-hander see the sixth inning. I like the value on Manaea Under 15.5 outs at -135.
Pick: Sean Manaea Under 15.5 Outs (-135 via DraftKings)
Moneyline
The Dodgers are -148 favorites and the Mets are +124 underdogs. I have no play for either side of the moneyline.
Pick: Pass
Run Line (Spread)
Like the moneyline, I am not on either side of the run line.
Pick: Pass
Over/Under
The over/under opened at 8.5 total runs. There are now some 8s available at various sportsbooks, however.
Pick: Pass
Mets Trends
- Mets starting pitchers have allowed a slugging percentage of just .246 this season — best in MLB; League Avg: .396
- Mets pitchers have a strikeout rate of 37% with runners in scoring position this season — best in MLB; League Avg: 21%
- The Mets are 7-5 ATS during the postseason
Dodgers Betting Trends
- The Dodgers pitchers have allowed an average Exit Velocity of just 86.1 MPH this season (196 balls in play) — best in MLB; League Avg: 88.9
- Dodgers relief pitchers have allowed a slugging percentage of just .234 on pitches in the strike zone this season — best in MLB; League Avg: .416
- The Dodgers are 7-3 ATS during the postseason
- 8-of-10 Dodgers playoff games have gone over the total — one of the games that didn't was a push
Mets vs Dodgers Game 6 Viewing Info: Channel, Start Time, Streaming
| Location: | Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif. |
| Date: | Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024 |
| Time: | 8:08 p.m. ET |
| TV & Streaming Options: | FS1 / MLB.TV, Fubo, Sling TV |
Mets vs Dodgers Key Injuries
Dodgers Injuries & News
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| 1B Freddie Freeman | Right ankle sprain (not in starting lineup for Game 6) |
| C Will Smith | Left hand (X-rays negative; starting in Game 6) |
| 2B Gavin Lux | Hip (not in starting lineup for Game 6) |
