Editorials

Dodgers/Mets NLDS Preview: Key Stats, Bench And Manager Comparison

Don Mattingly, Terry Collins

PAGES: 1 | 2



A third straight NL West title to go with a third straight 90-win season left the Los Angeles Dodgers as the second seed in the NL, taking on the New York Mets.

The Mets won the NL East and are in the postseason for the first time since 2006. They will start the series at Dodger Stadium beginning on Friday. The two teams haven’t met in the postseason since 2006, when the Mets swept the Dodgers in the NLDS.

Ahead of the series, we break down some key stats before checking out the team’s bench and coaching staff:

2015 Stats

The Dodgers finished the year at 92-70, while the Mets ended with a 90-72 record. Los Angeles had a 55-26 record at home and a 37-44 record on the road. New York was 49-32 at home and 41-40 on the road. In their seven head-to-head matchups during the season, the NL East champions took four of seven from the Dodgers, including two of three at Dodger Stadium.

Hitting

Dodgers
Batting Average – .250 (10th, NL Rank)
On-Base Percentage – .326 (T-1st)
Slugging Percentage – .413 (3rd)
Runs – 667 (8th)
Home Runs – 187 (1st)
Stolen Bases – 59 (13th)
Walks – 563 (2nd)
Strikeouts – 1,258 (11th)
Weight Runs Created Plus (wRC+) – 106 (2nd)

Mets

BA – .244 (13th)
OBP – .312 (11th)
SLG – .400 (6th)
R – 683 (7th)
HR – 177 (T-3rd)
SB – 51 (15th)
BB – 488 (7th)
SO – 1,290 (7th)
wRC+ – 99 (T-3rd)

Pitching

Dodgers

Overall ERA – 3.46 (5th, NL Rank)
Starters ERA – 3.24 (2nd)
Relievers ERA – 3.91 (11th)
Opponents Batting Average – .239 (T-2nd)
WHIP – 1.18 (T-2nd)
Strikeout:Walk (K/BB) – 3.53 (2nd)
Strikeout per 9 (K/9) – 8.69 (3rd)
FIP – 3.41 (3rd)

Mets

Overall ERA – 3.45 (4th)
SP ERA – 3.44 (4th)
RP ERA – 3.48 (7th)
Opponent BA – .239 (T-2nd)
WHIP – 1.18 (T-2nd)
K/BB – 3.49 (4th)
K/9 – 8.23 (5th)
FIP – 3.53 (6th)

Fielding

Dodgers

Errors – 75 (1st, NL Rank)
Fielding Percentage – .988 (1st)
Stolen Base Percentage – .669 (12th)
Passed Balls – 12 (T-7th)
Outfield Assists – 29 (T-4th)
Defensive Runs Saved – Negative-2 (7th)

Mets

E – 88 (5th)
FP% – .986 (5th)
SB% – .743 (5th)
PB – 4 (1st)
OF Assists – 32 (2nd)
DRS – Negative-7 (10th)

Manager

The Dodgers are led by Don Mattingly, who is in his fifth year as manager. He’s yet to finish a season below .500 and was at the helm for a third straight division title, setting a franchise record. While he’s had regular season success, the 54-year-old is 6-8 in two postseasons. The Dodgers reached the NLCS in 2013 and lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in six games. Last season they were eliminated by the Cardinals in four games in the NLDS.

Mattingly has earned praise for his handling of a clubhouse full of high-priced players, but has been criticized for his in-game management. His reliance on matchups has only been increased by the new front office. It’s believed that Mattingly is managing for his job, as the Dodgers may need a World Series berth at the least to keep the former AL MVP in the dugout.

Meanwhile, the Mets have Terry Collins, who is in his fifth year with the team and 11th overall as a manager. He previously led the Houston Astros (1994-1996) and Anaheim Angels (1997-1999). This is his first time in the postseason as a manager.

According to Matt Searle of Amazin’ Avenue, Collins has a similar critique to Mattingly:

The skipper provides a steady demeanor and a veteran leadership presence for the club, but he often makes questionable in-game decisions.

Collins went through a lot this year as the Mets manager, dealing with the New York media, a crying infielder during a botched trade rumor, injuries to key offensive players and finally a frenzy surrounding starting pitcher Matt Harvey and his pitching limit. The 66-year-old was able to stabilize the Mets and lead them to the postseason, but he now faces the postseason for the first time as manager.

Advantage: Dodgers (Experience. Simply put, Mattingly has been here before, albeit with mixed results; however, Collins appears to have game management issues and that’s before the pressures of the postseason.)

CONTINUE READING: Who has the better bench?

1 2Next page

Vincent Samperio

Vince is currently the Associate Editor and Social Media Manager for Dodgers Nation. Hailing from San Pedro, CA and a student at Cal State Long Beach, Vince has previously written for the Daily 49er and LASF Magazine.

2 Comments

  1. Its simplistic but I believe it comes down to if the Dodgers can somehow manufacture some runs against a very strong young pitching staff. The Dodger Defense is very good, their pitching (starting 3) is very good and the BP has come around. To me the Mets and the Cubs are similar in that they are a year early. Most League watchers expected the Mets to be contenders next year and into the future with that pitching rotation. Good for them they are a year early and have a very good team. But looking at talent and experience I believe it will be Dodgers in 3 or 4.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button