Carlos Mendoza knew going into Game 5 of the NLCS that he would likely need to get 12 outs on a combination of Ryne Stanek and Edwin Diaz. Much has been made about how the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup can control the strike zone, and for good reason: A long lineup full of patient hitters will force even the best pitchers to throw the ball just above home plate.
If that pitch isn’t good, it’s pretty much gone.
While there was hope that left-hander David Peterson would be able to get through six or so innings, Mendoza knew that was unlikely. However, Stanek and Diaz proved to be the right people for the job, helping the Mets win Game 5 and avoid elimination. Stanek pitched a career-high 2 1/3 innings, earning the win in relief, and Diaz pitched two innings to send the series back to Los Angeles for Game 6 and an eventual Game 7.
“He was ready,” Diaz said of Stanek. “I was talking to him in the bullpen and he told me he would be willing to go six out, seven out, nine out if they named him. And he did a very good job.
There were seven outs, but who’s counting? The Mets’ power right-hander is a playoff veteran, having made 29 postseason appearances. A key member of the Houston Astros bullpen from 2021-2023, he understands how to control emotions, but he also understands when to use them. That’s part of the reason the Mets targeted him at the trade deadline, knowing his experience would be beneficial for a deep run in October.
While Diaz, a playoff newcomer, began preparing earlier than usual in the bullpen, Stanek didn’t change anything.
“I think my philosophy and my approach to the game is to kind of leave everything hanging and go as hard as you can, for as long as you can,” he said. “Every time I’m told to be done, I’m done.”
Stanek entered the game in the top of the fifth to face Shohei Ohtani. Right-hander Reed Garrett had just given up a three-run homer to No. 9 hitter Andy Pages, and the Mets’ lead was cut in half, 10-5.
Stanek struck out Ohtani, causing him to swing and miss a high fastball on the sixth pitch of the at-bat.
The Mets went down in order in the bottom of the inning and Stanek gave up a leadoff home run to Mookie Betts in the sixth. He retired the next three in order and the Mets rewarded him with an insurance run.
Relievers don’t often get up more than twice, but Stanek came out in the seventh inning. He expected two ups, but not three. However, he remained unfazed and removed Kiké Hernandez, Max Muncy and Will Smith. Getting Muncy out was especially important considering he reached base 12 straight times until the second inning of Game 5.
“I honestly had no idea,” he said. I was a little in between. I knew the count was good and it would be a situation where I would probably be asked to go again, and it might not be a situation where they would say, “Hey, you must have the full tank.” [inning]but maybe I’m going there and someone might come pick me up at some point. But the fact that we were able to go out there and get three quickly was a good thing.
Diaz has had to settle several times this month, but not on Friday night. He struck out Pages and Ohtani in the eighth before allowing Betts to hit a weak grounder to second base. The closer gave up a two-out single to Tommy Edman in the ninth, but easily advanced to the final out.
Stanek and Diaz put together the kind of performances that turn relievers into playoff heroes. With a day off Friday, the Mets should have a more rested bullpen for Game 6.
“We haven’t done anything easy yet this year, so we might as well do it now,” Stanek said. “This is an opportunity to do something special and why stop now? Obviously, it’s a good team, and we know it. But we know we have a good team and we’re not going to go down without swinging.
