NLDS GameThread: New York Mets at Los Angeles Dodgers - Game 5

The New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers play Game 5 of their NLDS matchup tonight at 8:00 PM in Chavez Ravine with right-hander Jacob deGrom on the mound against Zack Greinke in the series finale which will determine who moves on to face the Chicago Cubs in the NLCS.

deGrom led the Mets to a win in Game 1, giving up five hits and one walk in seven scoreless innings in which he struck out 13.

Greinke earned the win in Game 2 with a seven-inning outing in which he gave up five hits and two earned runs.

Mets' skipper Terry Collins told reporters on Wednesday why he thought deGrom was the right choice in the decisive matchup with the Dodgers.

New York's 27-year-old, 2010 9th Round pick was (14-8) in 30 regular seasons starts this season with a 2.54 ERA, a 2.70 FIP, 38 walks (1.79 BB/9), 205 Ks (9.66 K/9) and a .210/.255/.318 line against in 191 innings pitched.

"When we were getting ready for the postseason one of the things when we sat our rotation down, we felt that [deGrom] was pitching the best of anybody," Collins said.

"And that's nothing to take anything away from Noah [Syndergaard], how he was throwing or [Matt Harvey]. We just thought this guy was pitching best.

"So if anybody was going to pitch two games in the series for us, it would be Jacob deGrom. So it worked out that way.

"Fortunately we didn't have to bring him back on short rest. He hasn't done it, and he's uncomfortable doing it. So we're lucky he's got an extra day."

Greinke finished the regular season (19-3) in 32 starts with a 1.66 ERA, a 2.76 FIP, 40 walks (1.62 BB/9), 200 Ks (8.08 K/9) and a .186/.231/.276 line against in 222 ⅔ innings.

At home in L.A., the 31-year-old right-hander had a 1.46 ERA, a 2.78 FIP and a .184/.222/.286 line against in 117 ⅓ innings.

Dodgers' skipper Don Mattingly talked yesterday about the possibility that tonight's outing could be Greinke's last with LA, since he's expected to opt out of his contract this winter and test the free agent market again.

"He's been great," Mattingly said. "Since he's arrived in L.A. it's been basically this year over times three. This year has probably been just a little bit more over the top just because of the tremendous start that he got off to and just continued at throughout the year. So with Clayton [Kershaw] and Zack, they've given us two guys that stop streaks, save your bullpen, are just day-in, day-out consistent guys. You can really count on what you're going to get from them 90-something percent of the time. So very, very important. I think that's the value of the two guys."

Can Greinke lead the Dodgers to the NLCS and live to start another game for LA? Can Jacob deGrom keep what's been a dominant campaign going? Who's going to move on to face the Chicago Cubs?

Greinke vs the Mets:

deGrom vs the Dodgers: