### Dodgers vs. Mets: Key Insights as 2024 NLCS Begins in Los Angeles

As the Mets gear up to face the Dodgers in the 2024 National League Championship Series (NLCS), here's a look at some noteworthy aspects heading into the matchup.

**Remembering the 2015 NLDS Showdown**

The last significant postseason clash between these two teams was back in 2015 during the National League Division Series (NLDS). That series finale saw Jacob deGrom and Zack Greinke dueling on the mound, with Bartolo Colon ready in the bullpen. Queens fans still recall Chase Utley as their adversary for his controversial slide earlier in that series. Fast forward to today, and Kiké Hernández stands as the only remaining player from that series who will appear in this year’s NLCS.

**Dodgers' Offseason Spending Spree**

In preparation for the 2024 season, the Dodgers spent over $1 billion in the offseason. This massive investment included signings like Shohei Ohtani with a $700 million deal (mostly deferred), Yoshinobu Yamamoto for $325 million, and Tyler Glasnow under a $136.5 million extension post-trade. In contrast, the Mets maintained the highest payroll in MLB but adopted a distinctive approach in free agency, notably not extending a formal offer to Ohtani and instead pursuing other options.

**Head-to-Head Performance**

Although the sample size is small, the Dodgers’ hitters have shown impressive performance against the Mets in their six regular-season encounters. Will Smith, Shohei Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman all posted On-base Plus Slugging (OPS) numbers above 1. Among these three, Smith tallied a 1.186 OPS with three homers and five RBIs, Ohtani managed a 1.143 OPS with two homers and six RBIs, and Freeman logged a 1.134 OPS paired with a homer and eight RBIs. However, pitching remains a concern for the Dodgers, who have the lowest strikeouts per nine innings (K/9) at 6.55 and the highest home runs allowed per nine innings (HR/9) at 1.64 among the final four teams, having surrendered 20 runs in those six matchups.

**J.D. Martinez and Hitting Coach Connection**

One of the more intriguing relationships in the series is between Mets newcomer J.D. Martinez and Dodgers hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc. Their connection goes beyond the 2023 season, the only season Martinez played for Los Angeles, during which Van Scoyoc helped mend his swing. Their collaboration dates back to post-2013, a pivotal period that revitalized Martinez's career. Martinez's influence, seen in his 16 home runs, 69 RBIs, and .725 OPS this season, has extended beyond his performance to mentoring fellow Mets hitters.

**Coaching Connections Between Teams**

Another interesting link involves Dodgers bullpen coach Josh Bard, who was Aaron Boone's bench coach with the Yankees before returning to Los Angeles in 2020. After Bard's departure, Boone promoted Carlos Mendoza, who eventually made his way to the Mets as their manager, showcasing an intricate web of coaching connections that bind these two formidable franchises.

As the Dodgers and Mets prepare to clash, these noteworthy points set the stage for an electrifying series.