Mets vs Dodgers: The Complete Rivalry Guide, NLCS History & 2025 Outlook
From the 1988 Orel Hershiser classic to the 2024 postseason fireworks — breaking down baseball's most dramatic coast-to-coast showdown with verified stats and expert analysis.
The 2024 NLCS featured unforgettable moments between these National League powerhouses. Photo: Action Network
📋 Table of Contents
Why Mets vs Dodgers Matters
Baseball rivalries come in different flavors. Some simmer for decades with geographic hatred (Yankees vs Red Sox). Others feature constant divisional warfare (Dodgers vs Giants). But the Mets vs Dodgers matchup? This is different. This is about October drama, coast-to-coast star power, and postseason moments that define careers.
Since the Mets joined the National League in 1962, these two franchises have built a history that spans 672 regular-season games and four playoff series. The Dodgers hold the overall edge with a 375-297 record (55.8% win rate), but the Mets have delivered some of the most painful October defeats in Dodgers history. [Source: StatMuse]
What makes this rivalry electric? It's the perfect storm: New York's underdog grit meets Los Angeles' Hollywood glamour. It's Jacob deGrom facing Clayton Kershaw. It's Shohei Ohtani stepping into the box against Edwin DÃaz. When these teams meet, baseball fans across America stop and watch.
All-Time Head-to-Head Record
Let's cut through the noise with hard data. The Mets vs Dodgers rivalry has seen shifting dominance across six decades, with the Dodgers generally holding the upper hand — especially in recent years.
The decade-by-decade breakdown reveals fascinating trends. The 1960s were brutal for the expansion Mets — they won just 44 of 138 games against the Dodgers (31.9% win rate). But the 1980s? That was the Mets' golden era, winning 66 of 120 matchups (55.0%) during their championship window. [Source: McCubed.net]
Here's how the rivalry has shifted over time:
| Decade | Mets Wins | Dodgers Wins | Mets Win % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 44 | 94 | 31.9% |
| 1970s | 52 | 68 | 43.3% |
| 1980s | 66 | 54 | 55.0% |
| 1990s | 53 | 58 | 47.7% |
| 2000s | 37 | 35 | 51.4% |
| 2010s | 29 | 43 | 40.3% |
| 2020s* | 24 | 31 | 43.6% |
*Through April 2025. Data via McCubed.net
Postseason History: 4 Epic Series
Regular season games build narratives. Postseason series forge legacies. The Mets and Dodgers have met four times in October, with the Mets holding a surprising 3-1 series advantage despite the Dodgers' overall regular-season dominance. [Source: Mets Merized]
1988 NLCS: The Hershiser Classic
The 1988 National League Championship Series remains the gold standard for this rivalry. The Mets were heavy favorites — they had beaten the Dodgers in 10 of 11 regular-season games and outscored them 49-18. But October baseball has its own rules.
Orel Hershiser, riding a record 59 consecutive scoreless innings, carried a 2-0 lead into the ninth inning of Game 1. The Mets rallied for three runs, with Gary Carter's two-run single barely eluding John Shelby's diving glove. But the Dodgers fought back, winning Game 2 and surviving a pine-tar suspension to closer Jay Howell.
The series turned in Game 4 at Shea Stadium. Dwight Gooden took a 3-1 lead into the ninth inning, having allowed just one hit since the first. Then Mike Scioscia happened — a game-tying home run into the Mets bullpen. Kirk Gibson won it in the 12th with a homer off Roger McDowell. Hershiser, who had pitched seven innings the day before, came out of the bullpen to save Game 4. The Dodgers won the series in seven games and captured the World Series. [Source: Dodgers MLBlogs]
2006 NLDS: The Sweep
Revenge came 18 years later. The 2006 Mets, powered by Carlos Beltrán and David Wright, swept the Dodgers in three games. The series featured a dramatic Game 1 where the Mets rallied from behind, capped by a two-run homer from Beltrán. The Mets advanced to the NLCS but fell to the Cardinals in seven games.
2015 NLDS: deGrom vs Kershaw
The 2015 series was a pitching duel for the ages. Jacob deGrom outdueled Clayton Kershaw in Game 1. Zack Greinke beat Noah Syndergaard in Game 2. The Mets took Game 3 at Citi Field behind a five-RBI performance from Curtis Granderson. Then came Game 5 at Dodger Stadium — deGrom vs Greinke in a winner-take-all showdown.
Daniel Murphy provided all the offense the Mets needed: a triple, a stolen base, a sacrifice fly, and a home run. The Mets won 3-2 and advanced to the World Series. It was the last time these teams met in October — until 2024. [Source: Mets Merized]
2024 NLCS: The Rematch
Nearly a decade later, the baseball gods aligned again. The 2024 NLCS pitted the #1 seed Dodgers against the #6 seed Mets — a rematch of that 1988 classic. The Dodgers won the series 4-2, outscoring the Mets 46-26, and went on to capture their eighth World Series title by defeating the Yankees. [Source: Baseball-Reference]
2024 NLCS Breakdown: Game-by-Game
Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers faced off against Francisco Lindor's Mets in the 2024 NLCS. Photo: MLB.com
The 2024 National League Championship Series was an offensive explosion that set multiple records. The Dodgers' 46 runs were the most in any LCS in MLB history. The series averaged a 6.7-run margin of victory — the highest ever for a postseason series. [Source: Wikipedia]
| Game | Date | Score | Location | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oct 13 | Mets 0, Dodgers 9 | Dodger Stadium | Jack Flaherty |
| 2 | Oct 14 | Mets 7, Dodgers 3 | Dodger Stadium | Sean Manaea |
| 3 | Oct 16 | Dodgers 8, Mets 0 | Citi Field | Michael Kopech |
| 4 | Oct 17 | Dodgers 10, Mets 2 | Citi Field | Evan Phillips |
| 5 | Oct 18 | Dodgers 6, Mets 12 | Citi Field | Ryne Stanek |
| 6 | Oct 20 | Mets 5, Dodgers 10 | Dodger Stadium | Ben Casparius |
Game 5 at Citi Field was an instant classic. Pete Alonso hit a three-run homer in the first inning. The Mets scored five runs in the third. The Dodgers fought back with home runs from Andy Pages (who hit two) and Mookie Betts, but the Mets' 12 runs were too much. It was the second-most runs the Mets have ever scored in a postseason game. [Source: CBS Sports]
Tommy Edman, acquired mid-season from the Cardinals, was named NLCS MVP after hitting .407 with four doubles, two homers, and 11 RBIs. Shohei Ohtani set a Dodgers postseason record with nine runs scored in the series.
Watch: Full highlights from the Mets' dramatic 12-6 Game 5 victory to force Game 6 of the 2024 NLCS.
2025 Season Series Update
The rivalry continued into the 2025 regular season with renewed intensity. As of late May 2025, the Mets and Dodgers have already played seven games — with the Mets holding a narrow 4-3 edge. [Source: StatMuse]
The May series at Citi Field saw the Mets take two of three, including a 5-2 victory on May 24 and a 3-1 win on May 25. The Dodgers answered back in early June at Chavez Ravine, but the competitive balance suggests this rivalry is as heated as ever.
Star Power: Ohtani, Lindor & The MVPs
Every great rivalry needs generational talent. The Mets vs Dodgers matchup delivers two of baseball's brightest superstars: Shohei Ohtani and Francisco Lindor.
Ohtani's 2024 season was historic — 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases, the first 50-50 season in MLB history. Against the Mets in the NLCS, he hit .300 with two homers, seven RBIs, and those record-breaking nine runs scored. His presence alone changes the geometry of the field. [Source: Baseball-Reference]
Lindor, meanwhile, carried the Mets to the 2024 postseason with a second-half surge that made him an MVP finalist. His grand slam in Game 4 of the NLDS against the Phillies was one of the signature moments of the Mets' improbable run. In the NLCS against the Dodgers, he hit .273 with a homer and five RBIs — not enough to overcome the Dodgers' offensive juggernaut, but enough to cement his status as a clutch performer.
The supporting casts are equally impressive. Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Max Muncy anchor the Dodgers' lineup. Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, and Mark Vientos (who hit five postseason homers in 2024) power the Mets. When these lineups collide, scoreboards get a workout.
Most Memorable Games
With 672 games to choose from, narrowing down the most memorable is nearly impossible. But these five stand out for their drama, significance, and pure baseball theater:
1. Game 4, 1988 NLCS: Scioscia's Shocker
October 9, 1988. Dwight Gooden dominates for eight innings. The Mets lead 3-1. Then Mike Scioscia — who hit just three home runs all season — launches a game-tying two-run shot. Kirk Gibson wins it in the 12th. The Dodgers' comeback from a 3-1 series deficit begins here.
2. Game 5, 2015 NLDS: Murphy's Magic
October 15, 2015. Dodger Stadium. Winner-take-all. Daniel Murphy accounts for all three Mets runs — a triple, a steal, a sac fly, and a homer off Zack Greinke. Jacob deGrom outduels the Cy Young winner. The Mets advance to their first World Series in 15 years.
3. Game 5, 2024 NLCS: The 12-Run Explosion
October 18, 2024. Citi Field. Down 3-1 in the series, the Mets explode for 12 runs. Pete Alonso hits a three-run bomb. Andy Pages hits two homers for the Dodgers in a losing effort. The series returns to Los Angeles for one more dance.
4. June 12, 2024: The Grimace Game
Okay, this wasn't against the Dodgers, but it set the tone for the Mets' magical 2024 run. After McDonald's character Grimace threw out the first pitch, the Mets went 64-37 the rest of the way. The "Grimace Effect" became a rallying cry that carried them past the Brewers and Phillies — and into that fateful NLCS against the Dodgers. [Source: Wikipedia]
5. May 24, 2025: Soto's Debut
The first meeting between Juan Soto (now a Met) and his former rivals. The Mets won 5-2 at Citi Field, with Soto drawing two walks and scoring a run. A new chapter begins.
Citi Field vs Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium comes alive when the Mets visit — over 52,000 fans packed Chavez Ravine for the 2024 NLCS. Photo: SeatGeek
The venues add their own character to this rivalry. Dodger Stadium, opened in 1962, is the third-oldest ballpark in MLB and one of the most pitcher-friendly parks in baseball. The Southern California sun, the palm trees beyond the outfield, and the largest seating capacity in the league (56,000) create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else.
Citi Field, opened in 2009, replaced the iconic Shea Stadium. The Jackie Robinson Rotunda pays homage to Dodgers history (Robinson broke the color barrier as a Dodger), creating an ironic connection between these rivals. The ballpark features excellent sightlines and a more intimate feel than its predecessor.
Interestingly, both venues have witnessed offensive explosions despite their reputations. The 2024 NLCS saw 46 runs scored at Dodger Stadium alone across three games. When these teams meet, ballpark factors seem to matter less than pure competitive fire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts: A Rivalry Built on October Drama
The Mets vs Dodgers rivalry might not feature the daily intensity of divisional matchups, but it offers something rarer and more precious: history that matters. When these teams meet in October, the stakes couldn't be higher.
For the Dodgers, the Mets represent a persistent October obstacle — a team that eliminated them in 2006 and 2015, and pushed them to six games in 2024. For the Mets, beating the Dodgers carries extra weight because of the payroll disparity and the history of heartbreak (particularly 1988).
The 2024 NLCS added another unforgettable chapter. The 46 runs, the 42 walks, the Tommy Edman heroics, the Pete Alonso home runs — these moments will be replayed for decades. The Dodgers' eventual victory and World Series title validated their $300+ million investment, but the Mets proved they could compete with baseball's financial giants.
Looking ahead, this rivalry shows no signs of cooling. Ohtani is locked in Los Angeles for years. Lindor anchors the Mets' infield. Juan Soto adds another superstar to the New York lineup. The 2025 season series is already competitive, and another October meeting feels inevitable.
What we know for certain is this: when the Mets and Dodgers share a field, the history matters. The 1988 comeback matters. The 2015 deGrom masterpiece matters. The 2024 offensive explosion matters. And the next chapter? It's always just one pitch away.
Stay Updated on Mets vs Dodgers
Bookmark this page for updated head-to-head records, playoff previews, and analysis of every matchup between these National League powers. Check back for coverage of their next series and potential postseason rematches.
