Mets News: NLCS seasons, roster officially announced

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

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

Both the Mets and Dodgers have now released their rosters for the series. The only notable change for the Mets is the addition of Jeff McNeil, who was officially declared fit 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 Luisangel Acuña — who has been serving as a late-inning defensive replacement — remains on the roster, and McNeil's presence could mean the Mets can better utilize the rookie as a pinch runner.

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