MLB Lines: NLDS Game 3 Picks

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MLB Lines: NLDS Game 3 Picks

Two critical National League Division Series (NLDS) matchups are set to take center stage. The Philadelphia Phillies take on the New York Mets in Game 3, while the Los Angeles Dodgers clash with the San Diego Padres. Both series are tied 1-1, making Game 3 a pivotal turning point.  Let’s analyze MLB Lines as the teams battle for a National League Championship Series spot.

Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Mets

The NLDS action heats as the Philadelphia Phillies (95-67) head to Citi Field in Queens for Game 3 against the New York Mets (89-73). 

After an exciting Game 2, where the Phillies secured a 7-6 win thanks to a thrilling late-game rally, the series is tied 1-1. Game 3 becomes pivotal with two games in New York and a potential Game 5 back in Philadelphia. The Phillies are set to start veteran Aaron Nola, while the Mets will counter with Sean Manaea. First pitch is scheduled for 5:08 PM ET.

Philadelphia’s Late-Game Heroics in Game 2

Game 2 was a rollercoaster with four lead changes as both teams launched home runs. The Phillies managed to edge out the Mets in dramatic fashion with a game-winning hit by Nick Castellanos in the bottom of the ninth. 

Castellanos’ single to left field scored Trea Turner, sealing the comeback. Castellanos had an outstanding game, finishing with three hits and two RBIs. 

Bryce Harper also contributed with a home run, adding to his quest for his first World Series title after leaving the Nationals a year before they won in 2019. Harper finished the season with 30 home runs and 87 RBIs, making him a fundamental threat in the middle of Philadelphia’s lineup.

While Kyle Schwarber struggled with a hitless 0-5 in Game 2, he remains a power threat after leading the Phillies with 38 home runs and 104 RBIs during the regular season.

Trea Turner, another offensive catalyst, chipped in with two hits and two runs scored in Game 2. Turner posted the Phillies’ best batting average at .295.

Aaron Nola, Philadelphia’s Game 3 starter, brings his postseason experience to the mound. He ended the regular season with a 3.57 ERA, striking out 197 batters while allowing 30 home runs. Nola’s two starts against the Mets this year were mixed, as he shut them out in one game but gave up six earned runs in the other. In this game, his ability to keep the Mets’ batters in check will be crucial for the Phillies.

Mets Face Pressure After Game 2 Loss

The Mets had been riding a wave of momentum, needing a late surge in the regular season to make the playoffs and pulling off an upset in Game 1 of the NLDS. However, their run hit a snag in Game 2 when they lost in the ninth inning despite hitting four home runs. 

Mark Vientos had a standout performance with two homers, while Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo also went deep. 

Vientos has emerged as a critical player for New York, batting .400 in the postseason and delivering eight hits so far. He balances a lineup that draws most of the attention to Alonso and Francisco Lindor.

Alonso, known for his power, hit a crucial home run in the Wild Card Round and added another in Game 2. Despite his power, Alonso is hitting just .176 in the playoffs, relying heavily on home runs.

Brandon Nimmo, meanwhile, has been one of the more consistent bats for the Mets, hitting .333 with seven hits and four RBIs in the postseason. Lindor, batting leadoff, went 2-5 with two runs scored in Game 2 and continues to be a force at the top of the order.

Sean Manaea, the Mets’ starter for Game 3, posted a solid 3.47 ERA during the regular season. While Manaea had a 12-6 record, his postseason debut against Milwaukee in the Wild Card Round could have been better, as he allowed two earned runs in five innings. His performances against the Phillies have also been mixed, with a 5.40 ERA in three starts this year, giving up four home runs.

Prediction

Momentum is now in Philadelphia’s favor after their Game 2 victory, and Aaron Nola’s experience on the mound could prove vital. Nola’s postseason ERA of 3.70 is respectable, and his ability to strike out batters gives him an edge over the Mets’ inconsistent lineup. Sean Manaea has struggled against the Phillies this season, and with Philadelphia’s lineup producing at crucial moments, expect the Phillies to take Game 3. Take the Phillies to win.

Prediction: Phillies -114

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres

The NLDS continues with Game 3 between the Los Angeles Dodgers (1-1) and the San Diego Padres (3-1). After the Dodgers took Game 1, the Padres bounced back with a dominant 10-2 victory in Game 2, tying the series at 1-1. 

The teams now head to San Diego for a critical game. Walker Buehler will start for the Dodgers, and Michael King will pitch for the Padres.

Dodgers Lean on Buehler in a Pivotal Game

Walker Buehler returns to the mound for the Dodgers after a season that saw him struggle with a 5.38 ERA and a 1-6 record over 75.1 innings. Buehler missed last season due to an elbow injury, and while he has been dominant in previous years, 2024 hasn’t been his best. Still, his postseason experience and career 1.80 ERA against San Diego could make him a crucial asset in Game 3.

Offensively, the Dodgers need more from their bats. They’ve struggled with runners in scoring position, going 4-for-20 in the first two games. Shohei Ohtani was impressive in Game 1 with three RBIs but went hitless in Game 2. Ohtani has four career RBIs against Padres’ starter Michael King and will need to produce in Game 3 for the Dodgers to keep pace.

Max Muncy, who is 2-for-10 against King, has been quiet in this series but remains a potential threat with a .873 OPS against him. The Dodgers finished the regular season ranked second in runs per game, but their offensive output in this series needs to be more consistent, and they will need to step up with Buehler on the mound.

Padres Continue Offensive Surge

The Padres have been on fire offensively, scoring at least five runs in three of their four playoff games. They’ve blasted 10 home runs in the postseason, with Jackson Merrill leading the charge. Merrill has an OPS of 1.36 in the playoffs and has been critical to the Padres’ success alongside Fernando Tatis Jr., who has five RBIs in the postseason.

Kyle Higashioka has been an unexpected contributor, hitting three home runs with four RBIs in the postseason. The Padres’ offensive depth has allowed them to post big numbers, making them a formidable opponent.

Michael King has been outstanding on the mound, posting a 2.95 ERA in the regular season and delivering seven scoreless innings in his Wild Card Round start against Atlanta. King has handled the Dodgers well, with a 2.82 ERA against them.

Prediction

San Diego holds the momentum after their Game 2 blowout win, and with Michael King on the mound, the Padres are in a strong position. King’s consistency and the Padres’ hot bats give them an edge in Game 3. Walker Buehler’s struggles this season make it hard to trust him, especially against a team that has hit so well. Expect San Diego to take advantage of their home field and continue offensive dominance.

Prediction: Padres -159