Takeaways from Mets-Dodgers NLCS Game 3: Los Angeles takes 2-1 series lead following rout of New York

The Los Angeles Dodgers are inching closer to ending the New York Mets' magical postseason run and are just two wins away from advancing to the World Series.

On Wednesday, Los Angeles silenced the Mets en route to an 8-0 road win in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series. The Dodgers, now up 2-1 in the best-of-seven series, will look to push New York to the brink of elimination during Game 4, scheduled for Thursday at 8:08 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1.

Here are three takeaways from Los Angeles’ dominant victory: 

Dodgers’ Walker Buehler bends but doesn’t break 

Buehler was disappointing in Los Angeles' NLDS Game 3 loss to the Padres, his first start of the 2024 postseason, allowing six runs on seven hits with one walk and no strikeouts in five innings. While he couldn't provide much length, Buehler rebounded on Wednesday, giving the Dodgers exactly what they needed.

The two-time All-Star gave up three hits and issued two walks in four innings but didn't allow a run while racking up six strikeouts. The Mets hitters couldn't figure out Buehler's offspeed pitches, which played a key role in the right-hander generating a season-high 18 swings and misses in the contest.

Even so, it wasn't smooth sailing for Buehler the entire game. After striking out two batters in the first inning, Buehler ran into trouble in the second. Buehler got his first batter in the frame, Mets outfielder Starling Marte, to ground out but quickly loaded the bases, walking DH J.D. Martinez before allowing an infield single to Jose Iglesias and another walk to outfielder Tyrone Taylor.

Nevertheless, Buehler dug deep, striking out his next two batters to end the inning, though there was more traffic on the base paths in the third inning, allowing two baserunners. However, he picked up another crucial strikeout to get out of another ham unscathed. 

It remains to be seen when Buehler will make his next start, as he'd most likely start a winner-takes-all Game 7 if the NLCS gets to that point or Game 1 of the World Series. Either way, the Dodgers should feel confident the next time Buehler takes the mound following his gutsy Game 3 performance. 

Enrique Hernandez and Shohei Ohtani homers put the game away

Despite scoring two runs in the second inning, the Dodgers were searching for a big hit for a good portion of Game 3 before they received what felt like the dagger in the sixth inning.

After utilityman Tommy Edman reached base on a two-out single and advanced to second on a Reed Garrett balk, Hernandez, who hit a pivotal go-ahead home run in Game 5 of the NLDS, delivered another memorable blast. On the sixth pitch of the at-bat, Hernandez drove a Garrett splitter 378 feet over the left-center field fence for a two-run homer to double Los Angeles' lead.