The Los Angeles Dodgers kicked off the National League Championship Series (NLCS) in stunning fashion on Sunday, demolishing the New York Mets with a resounding 9-0 victory at Dodger Stadium. This impressive shutout not only marks a tremendous start for the Dodgers but also ties the MLB playoff record for consecutive scoreless innings with 33—a record previously held by the Baltimore Orioles from the 1966 World Series.

Flaherty's Outstanding Performance

Leading the charge for the Dodgers was pitcher Jack Flaherty, who put on an electrifying performance, allowing just two hits and two walks over seven innings while striking out six batters. Flaherty's remarkable outing made him the first Dodgers pitcher since Clayton Kershaw in 2020 to throw a scoreless playoff game of seven or more innings. 'It’s about picking up where the last guy left off,' Flaherty commented after the game. 'Everyone has each other's backs, and that’s the energy we’re feeding off.'

Flaherty’s dominance was palpable; it wasn’t until the fourth inning that he allowed a batter on base, marking a significant moment when Francisco Lindor walked—ending a streak of 29 consecutive batters put down by Dodger pitchers.

Historic Feat

Historically, this feat of pitching excellence puts the Dodgers in elite company, joining only three other franchises—the 1926 St. Louis Cardinals, the 1939 Cincinnati Reds, and the New York Yankees in various years—for retiring 27 consecutive batters in a single postseason.

Teammate Praise

Dodgers catcher Will Smith praised his teammates, saying, 'They just went out there and dominated. I’m back there calling the pitches, but it’s all those guys executing what we’re deciding. We’re just trying to keep it going.'

Mets Struggles

On the other end, Mets pitcher Kodai Senga faced a rough outing, exiting early in the second inning after surrendering three runs. Max Muncy ignited the scoring with a two-run single in the first inning, followed by Shohei Ohtani’s RBI single, sealing the fate for Senga, who was struggling after a season plagued by injuries.

The Dodgers continued their offensive onslaught, spreading more runs across the fourth and eighth innings. Their performance included key hits from Tommy Edman and Freddie Freeman, along with a powerful double from Ohtani. Mookie Betts capped off the scoring spree with a bases-clearing double in the eighth inning, contributing to one of the largest playoff shutouts in MLB history.

Looking Ahead

As the Dodgers look to maintain their momentum, Game 2 of the best-of-seven NLCS is set for Monday at Dodger Stadium. Will the Dodgers continue their dominance, or can the Mets bounce back? Stay tuned!