Sean Manaea Faces Emotional and Daunting Task in NLCS Game 2 Against Dodgers

Sean Manaea, the left-handed pitcher for the New York Mets, is set to face a significant challenge both on and off the field as he takes the mound for Game 2 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS) against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Manaea’s family is mourning the loss of his aunt, Mabeline Mullins Glasshagel, who passed away last Tuesday at the age of 78. While his family gathers in Wanatah, Indiana, for the funeral, Manaea will be at Dodger Stadium, tasked with stopping one of the hottest teams in postseason history.

Manaea, who grew up in the small town of Wanatah with a strong Midwestern work ethic instilled by his parents, has undergone significant changes in his pitching style recently. After watching Chris Sale pitch, Manaea switched from an overhead windup to a lower arm angle and changed the grip on his changeup to a one-seam grip. These adjustments have yielded impressive results, with Manaea going 7–2 and posting a 2.98 ERA in his last 14 starts.

The Dodgers, however, present a formidable opponent. In Game 1 of the NLCS, they dominated the Mets with a disciplined approach at the plate, avoiding out-of-zone pitches and capitalizing on favorable counts. The Dodgers’ hitters, led by Shohei Ohtani, who has been exceptional with runners in scoring position, pose a significant threat to Manaea and the Mets’ bullpen.

Despite his past struggles against the Dodgers, including a 7.83 ERA since 2022, Manaea’s recent form and adjustments make him a crucial figure in the Mets’ hopes to turn the series around. The Mets have been successful when Manaea starts, going 11–3 in his games since the pitching changes.

Manaea’s start in Game 2 is not just about the game; it is also his way of honoring his aunt and contributing to his family’s legacy of hard work and resilience.