2024 MLB Showdown Set -- NLCS Preview

Been a while since we put out some cards, but we've been inspired by Cal's awesome 2011 set to put out some 2024 cards - especially when a battle between two of the highest payrolls in baseball is set to begin in the NLCS. I apologize if there's a change here-or-there that the teams made between NLDS and NLCS, but I'm just rocking with the playoff guys that I see (it's already going to be *a lot* of cards for y'all). All cards were made using the epic MLB Showdown bot, which you can use to make your own cards too! Without further ado, let's take a look at the teams in the NLCS: Dodgers and Mets!

Little comparison of the overall cards between the two MVP candidates on these teams... as a big Showdown believer, you better believe I'm taking Ohtani over Lindor

Los Angeles Dodgers lineups

The Dodgers have a star-studded lineup: soon-to-be MVP Ohtani, Freeman, Betts, Smith, Muncy, etc. etc. etc... but we've all seen those cards! This time around, I wanted to utilize the splits function of the Bot and give everyone the cards of the various players vs RHP/LHP, add a little extra spice to the gameplay! I hope you enjoy, I know I learned a lot about certain players strengths and weaknesses doing this!

RHP

The Dodgers have a HORRIFYING big three against righties, with Shohei putting out an absolute monster card in the lead-up spot!! I used the "default" lineups listed on rotoworld for these RHP/LHP lineups, so feel free to mix-and-match as you desire.

Bench

LHP

Considering the drop-off to Ohtani, Freeman and Muncy's cards against lefties, I thought the lineup as a whole would suffer... but it may be just as deep against southpaw pitching, particularly with OB 10 Betts and stud slugging cards from Teoscar and Pages (plus the 900 pt bench card from Tommy Edman).

Bench

**Tommy Edman only had 36 PA against lefties in the regular season, but he sure made the most of them... regardless, with such a "small sample size" card, it felt more appropriate to have him as a bench pinch-hitter than plugged into the 6 hole like rotoworld suggested. Obviously, feel free to sub him into the lineup as you see fit!

New York Mets lineups

As the highest paid team in the bigs, it cannot come as a surprise that the Mets have a fairly electric lineup, although they're obviously much, much stronger against the lefties than righties. I have to admit, I had no idea that Jose Iglesias had such a productive ~300 PA this year... and I am a bit bummed that old favorite Jeff McNeil isn't on this playoff roster, although I am excited at the glimpses from the lil Acuna we've gotten this year -- look out for him as a bench superstar against lefties below!

RHP

Bench

LHP

Bench

Los Angeles Dodgers pitching

Whew the Dodgers rotation has been absolutely gutted by injuries - so unfortunately, no Kershaw or Glasnow or Stone or... well, you get the picture! I'm going with the 13 pitchers that are on the postseason roster (since this is a NLCS preview... but you can go to the bot and find your fav players who may have been hurt by postseason time for yourself)... without further ado, let's take a look at the arms that Dave Roberts has to choose from headed into the final four!

Rotation

OOFT - if you haven't seen how badly this team has been decimated by injuries before, check this out... shell of himself Walker Buehler and young Landon Knack are the third and fourth starters. Moreover, nobody is equipped to go deep in games, putting a lot of pressure on the bullpen every single game, even in starts by the reliable Flaherty and Yamamoto. 

Bullpen

These eight guys are going to get worked to the bone for the Dodgers to make it through the next two rounds. Luckily for them, they've got a stable of tier 3 or better guys that can handle a few outs here or there reliably. Moreover, they have *a lot* of decent righties, which is key against a Mets lineup that feasts on lefties.

VERY small sample size player right here!

New York Mets pitching

The Mets definitely feel a lot stronger about their pitching situation than the Mets. Three stellar Tier 3 pitchers with the ability to go deep in games and a solid Tier 4 with no doubles too. Most importantly, THREE lefties to curtail Ohtani and Freeman at the top of the Dodgers lineup! 

Rotation

Bullpen

The Dodgers have to get to this layer of the Mets pitching if they're going to do serious damage in this series, as the Mets' bullpen is weaker than LA's from a tier persepctive. However, Butto is a key x-factor with his IP 2, tier 3 card. Another key element -- not a single Mets reliever gives up extra-base hits on his chart. The more I look at it, the more that I start to believe this may be the team of destiny the radio folk on MLB Network keep telling me they are!

Also, the Mets do have Max Kranick on the roster, but he did not pitch during the regular season so no bot card available.

Conclusion

Overall, despite the gap in wins during the regular season and the difference in preseason expectations, the 1 and 6 seeds seem pretty evenly matched -- I'm going to side with the Dodgers star power and their deeper bullpen to get them the pennant title in 7 games... but there's a big part of me that just wants the curse of the Brewers making the playoffs only to anoint the eventual NL champion to end!!!!

I'll try to get an ALCS comparison up sometime in the next week or so, but life is sadly busier these days. Hope you enjoyed these cards and have a great one!