NLCS odds, picks, best bets

The Mets and Dodgers ended their NLDS series with start-to-finish shutouts, allowing three runs in the final four games.

The Mets arrive in Los Angeles for the NLCS after four days of rest, and the pendulum should only swing the other way.

Mets vs. Odds Dodgers 1

Mets vs. Dodgers Game 1 prediction

In the first game on Sunday, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza elected to call up Kodai Senga, who was sidelined for the entire regular season with a shoulder and calf strain except for one start in July.

As part of a conservative approach to returning to the rotation, Mendoza used Senga for just two innings in the opener against the Phillies, then leaned on the bullpen to do the rest of the heavy lifting.

We can expect the same strategy from the Mets captain’s appearance at Dodgers Stadium on Sunday. Starting Tuesday in Game 2, Mendoza saves the top of his rotation for deeper games against a flammable Los Angeles lineup.

Despite playing brilliantly over the last 18 innings, the Mets’ bullpen has the worst playoff ERA (4.01) of the four remaining teams.

Dave Roberts will start veteran Jack Flaherty, a right-hander who started twice in the previous series’ 10-2 loss to the Padres.

Flaherty, a key trade deadline acquisition that was expected to boost an injury-ravaged rotation at the time, had given up 3.38 home runs per nine innings since joining the Dodgers in late July.

Dodgers Stadium is one of the friendliest places to play longball; he posted the second most home runs this season (122).

It’s also important to remember that during the Mets’ last visit in April, there were at least 10 runs scored in all three games.

Mets vs. game Dodgers, pick 1

The oddsmakers are certainly including some of these nuggets, averaging a regular-season total of 8.5 runs.

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Let’s treat it this way and get some serious value at the October fireworks display.

Pick: Over 8.5 Runs (+105, ESPN Bet)

Why you should trust the New York Post

Sean Treppedi breaks down the NFL, NHL, MLB and college football for the New York Post. It focuses primarily on picks that reflect market value, while tracking trends to reduce risk.