Mets News: NLCS game times, rosters officially announced

The National League Championship Series starts tonight and we now know the times of each game in the series as well as the players who will make up both teams’ rosters.

First the schedule. Although the times for the first few games had already been announced, the league has officially announced the start times for each game in the series. Of particular note is the start time of Game 2 at 4:08 EDT and a possible Game 5 starting Friday at 5:08 EDT. All other games in the series are scheduled to begin within the hour of 8:00 AM EDT. Also worth noting: These times are final regardless of how the ALCS games unfold.

Meanwhile, both the Mets and Dodgers have released their selections for the series. The only notable change for the Mets is the addition of Jeff McNeil, who has been officially declared good to go after his two rehab games in the Arizona Fall League. In a corresponding move, Adam Ottavino – who had not yet been called up to pitch in the postseason – was removed from the roster. The decision means that Luisangel Acuña – who has served as a late-inning defensive replacement thus far – will remain on the roster, and McNeil’s presence could mean the Mets will be in a better position to have the rookie as a pinch runner to use.

The Dodgers, meanwhile, will be without reliever Alex Vesia (who suffered an intercostal strain) and shortstop Miguel Rojas (who suffered a left adductor strain). Brent Honeywell and Kevin Keirmaier have replaced the two on Los Angeles’ roster.