Mets prioritize playoff strategy over regular-season Dodgers matchups

The Los Angeles Dodgers started the MLB season with a strong performance in the Tokyo Series against the Chicago Cubs. Despite missing key players like Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts, the Dodgers secured a 4-1 victory with contributions from Shohei Ohtani, who had two hits and two runs, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who pitched five scoreless innings. Looking ahead, the Dodgers are expected to have their star players return as the regular season begins at the end of March. This includes Ohtani, who is set to resume his role as a two-way player. The team is also under the leadership of manager Dave Roberts, who recently signed a record contract. For the New York Mets, the Dodgers represent a significant challenge. The Mets aim to overcome the Dodgers, especially after their defeat in the NLCS last year. While it may seem daunting if the Dodgers have a standout season, the Mets need to focus on finding ways to beat them in the postseason. The Mets have several months to prepare. They can explore trades to strengthen their team and hope to recover from injuries. Their regular-season matchups against the Dodgers in May and June will not determine the outcome of a potential postseason series, so the Mets are concentrating on what it takes to win four times in October.