The New York Mets not only secured a critical series win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, but also silenced some doubters in the process.
After dropping the opener of the NLCS rematch in a 13-inning marathon, the Mets bounced back with two consecutive wins to take the series, capped by Sunday’s 4-1 victory at Citi Field.
Sunday’s spotlight belonged to two of Japan’s biggest baseball stars: Kodai Senga and Shohei Ohtani. Their highly anticipated showdown didn’t disappoint.
In the first inning, Ohtani made an early statement, launching a 411-foot solo homer off Senga to right-center field, giving the Dodgers their only run of the day.
Despite the early blow, Senga settled down quickly and dominated from that point forward. The Mets right-hander threw 5.1 innings, allowed just five hits and one earned run, and struck out five.
After the game, reporters asked Senga about what it was like facing his countryman, Ohtani. His response was blunt: “It’s not fun,” he said with a smile, through an interpreter.
Mets rotation stepping up despite injuries
While Ohtani‘s blast may have been the highlight-reel moment, the Mets‘ ability to rally and win proved more significant. New York’s pitching staff, led by Senga, currently boasts an MLB-best 2.81 team ERA.
That figure is even more impressive considering the number of injuries plaguing their rotation and bullpen.
Senga now holds a 5-3 record with a league-leading 1.46 ERA, positioning himself among the most reliable arms in the National League. As the Mets continue to lean on their healthy starters, Senga’s consistency has become vital in keeping the team competitive.
New York’s offense chipped away at Dodgers pitching, scoring four unanswered runs to support their starter and lock down the win.
The victory also snapped Los Angeles’ three-series winning streak and underscored New York’s resilience during a grueling early-season schedule.
The win brings the Mets within two games of the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies, who saw their own nine-game win streak snapped on Sunday.
With momentum on their side, the Mets now turn their attention to a three-game home series against the struggling Chicago White Sox, starting Monday.
For Mets fans, the takeaway is clear: with Senga dealing and the rotation stepping up, this team might just have the pitching depth to stay in the race.
And while Senga may not enjoy facing Shohei Ohtani, he certainly proved he can keep his composure and help deliver a much-needed series win.
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