When is Dodgers vs. Mets NLCS Game 4? Date, time and statements

NEW YORK — In an alternate universe, Yoshinobu Yamamoto may be pitching for the Mets instead of the Dodgers. He finally visited New York while weighing his major league options and was impressed.

Instead, the former Pacific League star received a 12-year, $325 million signing from the Dodgers, and his debut at Citi Field is imminent against the Mets in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Thursday night, as Yamamoto looks for a repeat of his performance in the deciding game of the NL Division Series against the Padres, who got LA this far.

“I met [the Mets] a couple of times and I had a good impression, which made it a little difficult to make a decision,” said Yamamoto, who pitched five scoreless innings against the Padres on Friday in a winner-take-all game has. “It’s a wonderful organization.”

“The guys there got us to this point,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “And I’m pretty confident they’ll do it. Yes, you’re in the playoffs, and when you face a pitching staff like that, things get difficult at times. We generate traffic. I like the fact that we have people on base. We just haven’t managed to achieve much success, but I’ll continue to take my chances with the boys.”

Here’s everything you need to know about Game 4:

When does the game take place and how can I watch it?
Game 4 at Citi Field is now live on FS1.

All games are available in the US on MLB.TV (requires authentication with a participating pay-TV provider). Live games are also available in select countries outside the US. Detailed information can be found here.

Who are the starting pitchers?
Dodgers: RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (7-2, 3.00 ERA in regular season)
Yamamoto is looking to build off his most important start in the majors, five scoreless innings against the Padres in Game 5 of the National League Division Series. It will be Yamamoto’s first road start of the postseason.

Mets: LHP Jose Quintana (10-10, 3.75 ERA in regular season)
There may not be a pitcher in better shape than Quintana, who has posted a 0.57 ERA in his last eight starts, including one in each of the previous two postseason rounds. The Mets considered using Quintana in Game 3 but settled on Luis Severino. They are confident that Quintana, who has yet to secure a earned run in the playoffs, can continue his excellent run.

What are the starting lineups?
Dodgers: With left-hander Quintana on the mound, the Dodgers placed Teoscar Hernández at third and sat Freddie Freeman, while Max Muncy started first and batted sixth. As he continues to battle a hip injury, Gavin Lux was out of the lineup and Chris Taylor got the nod at second base.

Mets: Mendoza’s decision to eschew the platoon advantage by starting JD Martinez at DH opposite Jesse Winker in Game 3 raised some eyebrows. He didn’t change course in Game 4, given Yamamoto’s reverse splits. Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo swapped spots in the order, and Harrison Bader got his first start in the NLCS ahead of Tyrone Taylor.

How will the bullpens be lined up according to each team’s starter?
Dodgers: The Dodgers turned to Michael Kopech, Ryan Brasier and Blake Treinen in Game 3, and each of them is expected to be available again in Game 4. The bullpen continues to be the team’s greatest strength, and the club will rely on relievers throughout the rest of the postseason.

Mets: The Mets used Tylor Megill for the final three innings of Game 3, so he won’t be available, but every other Mets reliever should be in the game. That includes David Peterson, who the Mets aren’t necessarily saving for the bulk work in Game 5, and of course closer Edwin Díaz. Setup helpers Ryne Stanek and Phil Maton could also shoulder a heavy load.

Any notable injuries?
Dodgers: Freeman, who continues to deal with a severe right ankle sprain, was not in the lineup for Game 4. Daniel Hudson was unavailable in Game 2 due to a leg injury, but the right-hander was available in Game 3 and is expected to get a chance at pairs appearances in the remainder of the series.

Mets: Although McNeil hasn’t seen much live pitching since breaking his right wrist on September 6, he has made 10 plate appearances in the Arizona Fall League and two more in the NLCS. Mendoza said McNeil’s contact approach lends itself well to a successful return despite a recent lack of reps. In any case, McNeil is fully healthy and capable of contributing if the Mets call him.

Of the seven players on the Mets’ injured list – Paul Blackburn, Christian Scott, Dedniel Núñez, Sean Reid-Foley, Drew Smith, Brooks Raley and Ronny Mauricio – none of them will return this year.

Who’s hot and who’s not?
Dodgers: Kiké Hernández delivered the dagger in Game 3, a two-run home run in the sixth inning. He equals Babe Ruth with 15 home runs in his postseason career. And although Ohtani continues to struggle with empty bases, he has 17 hits in his last 20 at-bats with runners in scoring position. That included a gigantic three-run home run that ended Game 3.

Mets: Even in a down game, Vientos scored – his 15th in 10 postseason games. He was by far the hottest Met. The coldest might be Alvarez, who finished the regular season strong but went 5 for 35 (.143) with 13 strikeouts in the playoffs.

Is there anything else fans would like to know?
• This is the fourth postseason meeting between the Mets and Dodgers, dating back to an NLCS win for Los Angeles in 1988 that is still considered one of the greatest postseason series. The Mets got revenge in the 2006 NLDS by defeating the Dodgers and again in 2015 with a highly entertaining NLDS win.

• While the Mets led Major League Baseball with a 67-40 record from May 30 through the end of the season, the Dodgers weren’t far behind at 62-42. Both finished in the top five in the MLB during that time.

• With 11 RBIs this postseason, Vientos is one step behind Curtis Granderson (2015) and John Olerud (1999) for the most RBIs in a single postseason in franchise history.