Game Three
Since the LCS moved to its current seven-game format in 1985,the winner of the third game of the NLCS has advanced to the Fall Classic 24 times (63.2%) including each of the last two years (AZ in 2023 and PHI in 2022). This is the 29th time that the NLCS has been even at a game apiece, regardless of series length (best-of-five or best-of-seven). Nine of the last 16 NLCS matchups, including this year, have been 1-1 after two games. Prior to this season, the Dodgers most recently split the first two games of the NLCS in 2018 with Milwaukee and New York most recently split the first two games of the 2006 NLCS against St. Louis. In the seven-game era of the LCS (AL or NL) since 1985, 12 series have gone the distance after being tied 1-1, including the 2018 NLCS, 2012 NLCS, 2008 ALCS, 2007 ALCS, 2006 NLCS, 2003 ALCS, 2003 NLCS, 1996 NLCS, 1991 NLCS, 1988 NLCS, 1987 NLCS and 1986 ALCS.
- In 54 previous NLCS matchups, the team winning Game 3 has gone on to win the series 35 times (64.8%).
The Dodgers are 27-28 all-time in Game 3 of a Postseason Series, including 17-13 in Game 3 of a best-of-seven series overall, and 6-4 in Game 3 of the NLCS. - Los Angeles has won the third game in five of the previous six NLCS that they have been in, beating the Braves, 6-5, in 2021; the Braves, 15-3, in 2020; the Cubs, 6-1, in 2017; the Cubs, 6-0, in 2016; and St. Louis, 3-0, in
The Dodgers lost to Milwaukee, 4-0, in 2018. The Mets are 15-5 all-time in Game 3 of a Postseason Series, including 7-4 in Game 3 of a best-of-seven series overall, and 5-3 in Game 3 of the NLCS.
- New York is 2-0 in Game 3 of a series this Postseason, beating the Milwaukee Brewers (4-2) in the winner-take-all game of the NL Wild Card Series; and the Philadelphia Phillies (7-2) in the NL Division Series. The Mets win in Game 3 of the 2015 NLCS marked their first win in Game 3 of the NLCS since 1988, snapping a three-game losing streak.
Walker Buehler
Age: 30 (7/28/1994)
Birthplace: Lexington, KY
2024 Regular Season: 12-6, 3.47 ERA
2024 Postseason: 0-1, 10.80 ERA
Postseason Performance
Buehler has made one start this Postseason, allowing six runs on seven hits with one walk and no strikeouts in Game 3 of the Division Series against San Diego on October 8th. It was his first Postseason start since 2021 when he took the mound in Game 6 of the NLCS. He has not registered a Postseason win since October 23, 2020 in Game 3 of the World Series against Tampa Bay.
- 10/8 at SD: 5.0 IP, 7 H, 6 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO (77 pitches, 52 strikes)
Against the Mets
Will face New York for the first time this season and for the sixth time in his career. Is 1-1 with a 5.00 ERA (15 ER/27.0 IP). Last faced the Mets on June 4, 2022, taking the loss after allowing five runs on five hits in 2.1 innings. Prior to that start he was 1-0 against New York with Los Angeles winning each of his first four career starts against the Mets. He is facing the Mets for the first time ever in the Postseason.
On the Road Again
Is 0-2 away from Dodger Stadium this season, pitching to a 6.53 ERA (22 ER/30.1 IP) in seven starts. Has made two career starts at Citi Field as the Dodgers won both games after he threw 5.0 innings on September 15, 2019 and threw 7.0 innings on August 14, 2021. Is making his second road start of the Postseason after throwing 5.0 innings against the Padres in Game 3 of the NLDS.
Regular Season
Returned from Tommy John surgery on May 6th after missing the entire 2023 season. Made 12 starts for the Dodgers, spending nearly two months on the Injured List from June through August with a right hip injury. Took the win on May 18th against Cincinnati as he tossed 6.0 scoreless innings in which he allowed just three hits with seven strikeouts. Made his return from the IL on August 14th at Milwaukee as the Dodgers lost 5-4. From that point on, Los Angeles was 5-3 when he toed the rubber.
The Kitchen Sink
Buehler relies on seven pitches (2024 stats):
- 4-Seamer – 29.0%, .242 opp. AVG
- Cutter – 20.8%, .238 opp. AVG
- Knuckle Curve – 19.2%, .278 opp. AVG
- Sinker – 16.3%, .291 opp. AVG
- Sweeper – 8.2%, .121 opp. AVG
- Changeup – 5.2%, .455 opp. AVG
- Slider – 1.3%, 1.000 opp. AVG
Been Here Before
Buehler is making his seventh career start in the NLCS, previously starting Games 3 Game 7 in 2018 against Milwaukee; Games 1 and 6 in 2020 against Atlanta; and Games 3 and 6 in 2021 against Atlanta. He is 1-2 with a 3.56 ERA (12 ER/30.1 IP) in the NLCS. His seven career NLCS starts are second-most in Dodgers’ franchise history behind only Clayton Kershaw, who has made 10 career NLCS starts. Among active players, Buehler’s seven LCS starts are tied with Framber Valdez for fourth-most behind Justin Verlander (14); Kershaw (10); and Max Scherzer (9).
Luis Severino
Age: 30 (2/20/1994)
Birthplace: Sabana de la Mar, Dominican Republic
2024 Regular Season: 12-6, 3.47 ERA
2024 Postseason: 1-0, 4.50 ERA
Postseason Performance
Severing has made two starts this Postseason, allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits with two walks and three strikeouts across 6.0 innings in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series against Milwaukee on October 1st. He followed up the performance with 6.0 innings on October 6th against Philadelphia in Game 2 of the NLDS as he struck out seven but did not factor into the decision.
- 10/1 at MIL: 6.0 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO (105 pitches, 68 strikes)
- 10/6 vs. PHI: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 7 SO (91 pitches, 67 strikes)
Against the Dodgers
Will face Los Angeles for the first time this season and third time in his career. He last faced the Dodgers on June 2, 2023, taking the loss as he allowed seven runs on nine hits with one walk and two strikeouts across 4.0 innings. His first appearance against the Dodgers came as a reliever on September 14, 2016 as a member of the Yankees. He allowed on hit in 2.0 scoreless innings of relief as the Dodgers took a 2-0 win at Yankee Stadium.
Home Sweet Home
Severino is pitching at Citi Field for the 17th time this season and for the first time since taking the win on September 19th against Philadelphia. Overall he is 7-2 with a 2.96 ERA (32 ER/97.1 IP) in Queens this season. His last loss at home came on July 31st when he was tagged for six runs on six hits in 3.0 innings against Minnesota. He threw a four-hit shutout on August 17th against Miami, ending a three-game losing skid that began with his loss to Minnesota. It marked his first shutout since 2018. Overall he is 8-3 in 19 career starts at Citi Field, entering this season with three career starts at Citi Field under his belt.
Regular Season
Signed as a free agent with the Mets on December 3rd, ending his eight-year tenure with the crosstown Yankees. Finished the year going 11-7 with a 3.91 ERA, with the Mets going 15-16 when he toed the rubber. New York won five consecutive starts that Severino made from May 31st-June 23rd and won another three consecutive starts from July 10th-25th. During the stretch from May 31stJuly 25th, he went 5-1 with a 3.92 ERA (27 ER/62.0 IP) 44 strikeouts and a 1.24 WHIP
Show Me What You Got
Severino relies on six pitches (2024 stats):
- 4-Seamer – 35.5%, .243 opp. AVG
- Sinker – 24.8%, .278 opp. AVG
- Sweeper – 17.2%, .139 opp. AVG
- Cutter – 8.1%, .200 opp. AVG
- Changeup – 7.5%, .358 opp. AVG
- Slider – 7.0%, .263 opp. AVG
Return to the Show
Severino is making his fifth career start in the LCS and his first in the NLCS. Previously his club has lost all four of his starts, each to Houston, and he is on a three-game losing streak in the LCS.
