MLB playoffs: Takeaways from the Dodgers’ NLCS Game 6 win

The Los Angeles Dodgers have done it – they’re headed to the World Series.

A day after the New York Yankees punched their first ticket to the World Series by defeating the Cleveland Guardians in 10 innings, the Dodgers handily defeated the New York Mets in their return to Dodger Stadium, securing victory in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series, entry into the Fall Classic and the end of the Mets’ magical playoff run.

We’ve got you covered, from live game updates and analysis to insights after the final pitch.

The World Series matchup is set: How Dodgers and Yankees can win it all

Takeaways

Dodgers win the series 4-2

In the end, it didn’t matter who the Dodgers put on the mound – they had more than enough offense to overcome any pitching hurdles en route to another World Series appearance. Newcomers Shohei Ohtani and Tommy Edman (a midseason addition) led the way, combining for five RBIs and four hits in the decisive win in Game 6. The Dodgers scored at least seven runs in all of their wins in the series – and six more in one their two defeats.

The Mets experienced waves of offense that defeated their best starters, while Sean Manaea had his worst performance of the postseason on Sunday. The same goes for Luis Severino and Jose Quintana, both of whom pitched early in the series. The rush ended a magical run for the Mets, who now have key free agent decisions to make, from first baseman Pete Alonso to the three pitchers mentioned above. They fought bravely, but in the end it was the Dodgers, not the Mets. The former team was simply too much for New York.

World Series outlook: Los Angeles’ win sets up a dream duel with the New York Yankees. The teams have often faced each other at the Fall Classic in the past, but this will be the first time since 1981. Likely two MVPs from each league, Ohtani and Aaron Judge, will take center stage, and players like Juan Soto, Mookie Betts, Giancarlo Stanton and Freddie Freeman will bring additional star power, assuming he’s healthy enough to play. It says a lot that each of these all-world talents is overshadowed by other players, but Judge and Ohtani are what this series is about. –Jesse Rogers

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