Game 1 of the National League Championship Series did not go the way the Mets wanted. On paper, a 9-0 loss to the Dodgers started the series on as low a note as you can imagine.

But things are not as bad as they seem. Real. Here are four reasons why the Mets’ loss isn’t something to worry about just yet.

If you’re going to lose a game, you want to lose to their best pitcher. Jack Flaherty is the best starter on the Dodgers’ postseason roster by fWAR, 3.2 in 2024 compared to Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s 2.8. Since coming to the Dodgers, he dropped off his pace a bit in the first half, but he still had a very good year and is clearly the pitcher they would consider their ace.

With a bullpen game today and Walker Buehler starting Game 3, the Mets have the starting pitching advantage for the next few days. They must take advantage of this.

The Mets came in cold. The Mets came into the game on their longest rest period since getting a few days off on September 25 and 26. Their pace from September 27 to October 9 was 12 games in 14 days. While the three days off were a boon to set up their rotation and rest their bullpen, it was an adjustment for a team that hasn’t stopped playing (and winning) in two weeks. With a game now on the schedule, and also another day at California time, the Mets should be able to look a little livelier today.

The bullpen was used, but not the high-leverage pitchers. Using five pitchers on a blowout loss isn’t ideal, but the usage was actually better than it could have been. Kodai Senga was the opener, and he won’t pitch again until Game 5, so if you use him, your plans aren’t too bad. Reed Garrett was excellent in his first and third innings, as was Danny Young, and both had enough rest that you could probably use it today, but you probably wouldn’t need to with Phil Maton, Ryne Stanek and Edwin Díaz all fresh. .

David Peterson could have gone on longer, but he wasn’t very effective, so I understand Carlos Mendoza’s desire not to let the game get further out of hand, although the argument could be made to just ride him to the end and save the bullpen. . With limited left-handed relief options, I understand why Mendoza wants to keep him available (somewhat) for a game down the road.

José Buttó didn’t look great, but he ate the last five outs and saved Mendoza from having to use another pitcher.

The downside here is that the Mets wasted two of their three tall men, and neither of them will likely be able to go today if they need to. If Sean Manaea struggles today, it will be up to Tylor Megill and the trio of backend pieces to break through the Dodgers’ lineup.

A breakup was always the goal. Look, we all want the Mets to win every game possible, but the rule of thumb is usually that you want to win one of the first two games on the road in a playoff series so that you come home with a tie. Obviously it’s less stressful if you can win the first game, but this time tomorrow there’s a good chance the Mets return home in the exact same situation as when they drew Philadelphia 1-1 with the Phillies.

The Dodgers are a very good team, but a team with obvious flaws and weaknesses. They are beatable, even with the best offensive player in the world and several other excellent hitters in their lineup. This is especially true if, as was theorized during last night’s broadcast, Freddie Freeman will play against Manaea tonight. The Mets had a very bad night, there’s no denying that. But this series is just getting started and there’s plenty of time to come back. That starts tonight.