NLCS Game 5 takeaways: Mets erupt for 12 runs to send series back to L.A.

Flaherty still ran into trouble on the base paths in the first inning but escaped the jam before making it through the second unscathed. It was still clear that Flaherty didn’t have his best stuff, though since the Dodgers are likely throwing a bullpen game on Sunday, manager Dave Roberts left Flaherty in for the third inning while his team trailed 3-1.

The risky decision ultimately didn’t pay off, as the Mets erupted for a five-run third inning, sending nine batters to the plate. Overall, Flaherty allowed eight runs on eight hits with four walks and no strikeouts in three innings. 

A key reason New York is trailing in the NLCS lies in its struggles to cash in with runners in scoring position, particularly during its homestand against the Dodgers. In Games 3 and 4, the Mets went 0-for-14 in such situations before Alonso’s first-inning home run in Game 5 ended the drought.

Perhaps the jolt of energy Alonso’s homer provided is what New York needed to recapture its magic. 

Walks continue to be the Mets’ Achilles’ heel 

Walks have been a theme in the series, with the Mets issuing 31 free passes across the first four games against the Dodgers. Despite its early offensive explosion, New York quickly let the Dodgers back into the game, with walks again being the culprit.

New York walked five batters across the first 4.2 innings on Friday, helping the Dodgers set the record for most walks drawn in a five-game postseason span (36). Four of Los Angeles’ walks were issued by Mets starter David Peterson, while one came from reliever Reed Garrett. The Dodgers ultimately capitalized, as they scored four of their six runs after drawing a walk.

Fortunately for the Mets, their most important relievers, Ryne Stanek and Edwin Diaz, didn’t walk anybody during the combined 4.1 innings they pitched, providing the team with some optimism.

Even so, although New York will have its ace Sean Manaea on the mound Sunday, the left-hander must have better control than he did in the team’s Game 2 win, during which he walked four batters in five innings.

Outfielder Andy Pages’ performance is a bright spot for the Dodgers 

The Dodgers didn’t get many contributions from the bottom half of their batting order, but Pages did his part to get the team back in striking distance after falling behind by seven runs early.

Pages, who slashed .248/.305/.407 with 13 homers and 46 RBI during the regular season, has struggled mightily during his first taste of October baseball. The 23-year-old entered Game 5 with a .100 batting average in the postseason, recording just one hit with a run scored across his first six contests.

Nevertheless, Pages may have ignited a hot streak on Friday, delivering the most productive offensive performance for Los Angeles. In the fourth inning, Pages belted a two-out solo home run 418 feet to left-center field to cut the Dodgers’ deficit to 8-2. After crushing the pitch from Peterson, Pages flipped his bat with conviction, sparking a heated exchange with Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez when he returned to home plate.