Remembering Mets History (1988) NLCS- Dodgers Upset Heavily Favored Mets in Seven Games
Tuesday October 4th, 1988, NLCS Game #1 - Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California: Davey Johnson's New York Mets had won their second divisional title in three years & were the heavy favorite going into the post season. The Mets had won 100 games (100-60) finishing 15 games in front of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Mets offense was led by Darryl Strawberry who led the NL in HRs (39) & drove in 100 RBIs. Kevin McReynolds hit 27 HRs with 99 RBIs 30 doubles & hit .288. Howard Johnson hit 24 HRs & Wally Backman was the only Met in the starting lineup that had hit over .300. Rookie Greg Jefferies was the new star as in 29 games he hit .321 with 6 HRs & 17 RBIs. By now the All-Star veterans Gary Carter & Keith Hernandez were entering the twilights of their careers. The '88 Mets staff was led by twenty game winner, David Cone (20-3 / 2.22 ERA / 213 Ks) as well as Dwight Gooden (18-9 / 3.19 ERA) Ron Darling (17-9 / 3.25 ERA) Sid Fer...