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The National League Championship Series (NLCS) is headed back to Los Angeles after the Mets secured a crucial Game 5 victory against the Dodgers on Friday night at Citi Field, winning 12-6. With this win, the Mets extended their season and demonstrated they won’t go down without a fight, though the Dodgers still hold a 3-2 series lead.
In an impressive display, the Mets scored eight runs in the first three innings and relied on solid bullpen efforts to maintain their lead. Remarkably, the Mets did not record a single strikeout throughout the game, becoming the first team to achieve this feat in a postseason game since the Angels did so in Game 2 of the 2002 World Series. That game featured 40 plate appearances, while the Mets sent 44 batters to the plate without a strikeout.
This Game 5 marked only the third postseason game in the Expansion Era (since 1961) where a team finished with zero strikeouts. Here’s a look at the list:
Mets: 2024 NLCS Game 5 vs. Dodgers (NY 12, LA 6) – 44 plate appearances
Angels: 2002 World Series vs. Giants (LAA 11, SF 10) – 40 plate appearances
Pirates: 1974 NLCS vs. Dodgers (LA 5, PIT 2) – 37 plate appearances
The Rare feat
While there were three zero-strikeout games in the 1960 World Series between the Yankees and Pirates, it’s a rarity in today’s game. Overall, Game 5 became the 11th zero-strikeout game in postseason history. The league average strikeout rate during the regular season was 22.4%, a figure that has remained steady for three years. In the postseason, that rate increases slightly to 23.4% as teams optimize their pitching rotations. Interestingly, the Mets matched the league average with a 22.4% strikeout rate this year, so based on that statistic, they would typically expect around 10 strikeouts with 44 plate appearances. Instead, they achieved the rare feat of striking out none.
Jack Flaherty struggled, and long reliever Brent Honeywell isn't known for overpowering hitters, which likely contributed to this outcome. However, credit goes to the Mets’ hitters for their relentless approach in a must-win situation.
Game 6 is set for Sunday night at Dodger Stadium. A win for the Dodgers will send them to the World Series, while a Mets victory will force a decisive Game 7 on Monday.
