With a 3-1 lead in the National Championship Series best-of-seven, the Los Angeles Dodgers have the chance to secure their place in the 2024 World Series with a victory against the New York Mets this Friday.

Los Angeles achieved a commanding 10-2 victory in Game 4 at Citi Field on Thursday and has fully dominated the Mets with a total score of 30-9 in the series, winning the three games by margins of nine, eight, and eight runs, including shutouts in Games 1 and 3.

Mookie Betts excelled with a 4-for-6 performance, including a home run and four RBIs during the Game 4 victory, while the likely NL MVP, Shohei Ohtani, also homered for the second consecutive game after going six games without one.

For the Mets, David Peterson (10-3, 2.90 ERA) will take the mound, aiming to keep New York’s postseason hopes alive. This will be his first start in the playoffs, but he has been significant from the bullpen, securing a win and a save with a 2.08 ERA over four appearances. Jack Flaherty, the right-hander for the Dodgers, will pitch in this potential series-clinching game after an outstanding showing in Game 1.

Stay tuned for live updates from Friday’s match:

Andy Pages hits three-run homer: NY leads 10-5

Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages launched a three-run homer in the fifth inning—the second of the game for him—narrowing Los Angeles’ deficit to 10-5 after Reed Garrett, the Mets’ right-hander, reached trouble by hitting Enrique Hernandez and walking Max Muncy.

The Dodgers are making it tough for the Mets!

Mets score two more in fourth: NY extends lead to 10-2

The Mets secured essential runs in the fourth, sending seven players to bat against Brent Honeywell. Jesse Winker hit an RBI triple, and Jeff McNeil followed with an RBI single, extending New York’s lead to 10-2 as we move to the fifth inning.

Andy Pages homers; Mets leave bases loaded: NY leads 8-2

With two outs in the fourth inning, Andy Pages smashed a solo homer to left field against David Peterson, exchanging words with catcher Francisco Alvarez as he crossed home plate.

Peterson allowed a bloop single to Shohei Ohtani, then issued walks to Mookie Betts and Teoscar Hernandez, filling the bases. Reid Garrett entered to face Freddie Freeman in a challenging situation and struck out the former MVP, leaving the bases full as we head to the bottom of the fourth.

Mets score five in the third: New York leads 8-1

The situation worsened for the Dodgers in the third inning when Pete Alonso and Jesse Winker walked to start the inning. Starling Marte followed with a two-run double that pushed the score to 5-1 with no outs.

Jack Flaherty managed to retire the next two batters, but the Mets connected for three consecutive run-scoring hits: a single from Francisco Alvarez, a triple from Francisco Lindor, and another single from Brandon Nimmo.

After an impressive seven-scoreless innings in Game 1, Flaherty has struggled in the Dodgers’ first chance to clinch.

Dodgers score on wild pitch: Mets lead 3-1 after two innings

Walks have been problematic for the Mets in this series, and David Peterson walked leadoff batter Enrique Hernandez in the second inning. With two outs, Andy Pages’ blooper to center moved Hernandez to third, bringing up Shohei Ohtani.

Peterson then threw a wild pitch, allowing the run to score before walking Ohtani to set up Mookie Betts with runners on first and second. Peterson ended the inning with a foul popup from Betts, who had doubled in the first inning and drove in four runs in the Dodgers’ Game 4 win.

Pete Alonso homer: Mets lead 3-0 in the first inning

In possibly his last game with the Mets, Pete Alonso hit a three-run homer to center field off Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty—just what New York needed after struggling to score throughout the series.

David Peterson escapes first-inning jam

Shohei Ohtani opened Game 5 with a single, and Mookie Betts hit a double, putting runners on second and third with nobody out for Mets starter David Peterson. The left-hander then managed to retire Teoscar Hernandez (groundout), Freddie Freeman (lineout), and Tommy Edman (strikeout), escaping a potential disaster that could have devastated the Mets’ season.

Dodgers vs Mets Game 5 schedule

The game is set to begin at 5:08 p.m. ET this Friday at Citi Field.

• Venue: Citi Field, Queens, New York
• Date: Friday, October 18

Dodgers vs Mets TV broadcast: NLCS Game 5

• Time: 5:08 p.m. ET
• Channel: Fox Sports 1
• Stream: Watch this match on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)

Dodgers roster: NLCS Game 5

1. Shohei Ohtani (L) DH
2. Mookie Betts (R) RF
3. Teoscar Hernández (R) LF
4. Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
5. Tommy Edman (S) SS
6. Enrique Hernández (R) 2B
7. Max Muncy (L) 3B
8. Will Smith (R) C
9. Andy Pages (R) CF

Mets roster: NLCS Game 5

1. Francisco Lindor (S) SS
2. Brandon Nimmo (L) LF
3. Mark Vientos (R) 3B
4. Pete Alonso (R) 1B
5. Jesse Winker (L) DH
6. Starling Marte (R) RF
7. Tyrone Taylor (R) CF
8. Jeff McNeil (L) 2B
9. Francisco Alvarez (R) C