First, the Dodgers lost out on the NL West title by virtue of their head-to-head season series record against the Padres. Then, they drew the Mets, who finished the regular season with an NL-best 97 wins. The hits didn't stop there for the Dodgers, who were swept in three games in the NLDS.

Jeff Kent was a bright spot for L.A., going 8-for-13 (.615) with two runs, a double, one home run and two RBIs in the series. James Loney drove in three. Carlos Delgado paced the New York offense with six hits.

Mets starters Tom Glavine, John Maine and Steve Trachsel allowed just three earned runs in a combined 13 2/3 innings.

Path to the NLDS: New York (97-65) won the NL East by 12 games; Los Angeles (88-74) finished the regular season tied with San Diego for first in the NL West, and was awarded the Wild Card by virtue of losing the season series to the Padres?

Managers: Willie Randolph, NYM; Grady Little, LAD