Ohtani and Lindor lead the way when the Dodgers-Mets NLCS move to NYC for Game 3 on Wednesday

NEW YORK (AP) — It all starts with Shohei Ohtani and Francisco Lindor in this National League Championship Series.

Right at the top of the lineup.

Projected to be 1-2 in NL MVP voting, Both leadoff batters have already made a big impact early in their playoff showdown between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets.

And they know full well that only one of them will reach the World Series.

“I think we're both in a situation where what we did in the regular season is over and what matters is how we produce what we produce in the postseason,” Ohtani said through an interpreter on Tuesday. “I think we may be connected in the same spirit.”

With the best-of-seven series tied 1-1, the scene shifts to Citi Field for Game 3 on Wednesday night, when Walker Buehler is scheduled to pitch for Los Angeles against Luis Severino.

After the Mets held a casual practice late in the afternoon, Ohtani and the Dodgers practiced under the ballpark lights on Tuesday night.

Ohtani said his impression of Lindor is “that he's a really good guy.” He smiles a lot. I feel like he’s leading the club too.”

Lindor was asked what he particularly admires about his highly talented Dodgers colleague.

“I admire his shoes. He’s got cool cleats,” the Mets’ star shortstop said, sparking laughter from reporters in the interview room.

“I admire the ability to stay within yourself. I mean, he's a guy who was under a lot of pressure from day one. There have been a lot of eyes and cameras on him and his ability to stay within himself, not get too big and stay the course is brilliant to me. He did a fantastic job everywhere and managed to maneuver properly.”

All of these qualities were evident as the teams split the first two games at Dodger Stadium.

Ohtani, largely held in check this month during his first postseason, had an RBI single early in the series opener and blasted another single over the right-center fence, leading to two more runs. He also drew a walk and scored twice as Los Angeles rolled to a 9-0 win.

Lindor, who was 0-for-3 with a walk in Game 1, immediately got his turn the next day when he launched a leadoff home run to cap an eight-pitch at-bat after getting four consecutive offers from Ryan Brasier had fouled.

The trip ended a 33-inning scoreless streak for Dodgers pitchers, equaling a postseason record.

An inning later, Los Angeles intentionally walked Lindor to load the bases for Mark Vientos, who hit a grand slam that gave the Mets a 6-0 lead en route to a 7-3 win in Game 2.

With it, New York was right back on the show.

“I just love making things happen,” Lindor said. “You just get the crowd and the team going.”

Ohtani has also accepted his lead role, which used to be an unusual casting such a powerful batsman.

However, not anymore.

“I think we can take complete comfort in knowing that we're giving our best hitter five cracks to go on offense straight away, and also that we believe the guys at the back of the line are wreaking havoc and going for it “And I think we did a really good job of that in Game 1,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.

“Just give him chances. … I can't predict the game. So I’m confident I can predict Shohei 1 to score and get the most out of our offense’s attacks.”

Calm down

Temperatures are expected to be just above 50 degrees and fall on the first pitch Wednesday evening. It was a pleasant 23 degrees in the first two games in Los Angeles.

“Of course the East Coast/West Coast, LA/New York thing is pretty cool. I can imagine it will be rocking here tomorrow. What excites me more than anything is the noise and excitement. And the feeling that it’s a matter of life and death on every field is something I really love,” Buehler said.

“Personally, I love pitching in the cold. I don't know why or how. I think when I was in college (at Vanderbilt), my first ten starts in a year were under 30 degrees. So something I’m used to, or at least was used to.”

Start me

Buehler went 1-6 with a 5.38 ERA in 16 starts this season after missing 2023 following his second Tommy John surgery. He suffered the loss in Game 3 of the Division Series in San Diego, but gave up all six runs in one inning and had some bad luck in that game.

“I feel confident. So I think one of my biggest strengths for a long time was probably my confidence,” Buehler said. “Sometimes it fluctuated a bit this year. In the last six or eight (beginnings) I kind of felt like I had built some kind of building blocks. And I hope it stays that way.”

Severino is 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA in two playoff starts after going 11-7 with a 3.91 ERA in his first season with the Mets. He has thrown 194 innings this year, including the postseason, and will pitch nine days.

“I think my arm feels the same way at the moment, it feels good. I just have to stick to my routine,” Severino said.

The right-hander said he would go back and watch Padres pitcher Yu Darvish have success against Ohtani during their Division Series.

“He was a great pitcher. There are some people who have a shared history with him,” Roberts said. “We will be prepared for whatever he has planned for us.”

Injury update

Roberts said second baseman Gavin Lux is feeling much better and will return to the lineup Wednesday night. Lux missed Game 2 with a right hip flexor injury that forced him out of the series opener in the seventh inning.

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