Kopech will serve as the Dodgers' opening pitcher for Game 6 of the NLCS against the Mets on Sunday, Noah Camras of DodgersNation.com reports.

Ryan Brasier served as the opener the last time the Dodgers went with a bullpen day in Game 2, but after suffering a 7-3 loss in that contest, Los Angeles will go a different route Sunday. Kopech's lone appearance in the NLCS came in Game 3 on Wednesday, when he scooped up a win while striking out one batter over one scoreless inning. He's appeared in five postseason games this season, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out six batters across 4.1 scoreless innings.

Freeman (ankle) is not in the starting lineup for Game 6 of the NLCS against the Mets on Sunday, Noah Camras of DodgersNation.com reports.

Freeman has been hampered by a high-ankle sprain throughout the postseason. He was held out for Game 4 of the NLCS, but he returned to the lineup for Game 5, and manager Dave Roberts expressed optimism Saturday that the veteran first baseman would be in the lineup for Game 6. However, Freeman will begin Sunday's game in the dugout, though he could be available to pinch hit if called upon. Max Muncy will shift over to first base while Enrique Hernandez enters the lineup at third base against Mets southpaw Sean Manaea.

Manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that Smith received X-rays on his left hand after taking a foul ball off his catching hand in Game 5 of the NLCS against the Mets, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Roberts relayed that the foul ball hitting Smith's left hand led to the catcher being lifted for a pinch hitter in the seventh inning of Friday's game. The X-rays on Smith's hand came back negative, and the 29-year-old is expected to be in the lineup for Game 6 on Sunday. Smith has gone 5-for-35 with six walks, one home run and four RBI during the postseason.

Manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that he expects Freeman (ankle) to be in the starting lineup for Game 6 of the NLCS against the Mets, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Freeman has been playing through an ankle injury throughout the postseason. He has missed two games during the playoffs, most recently Game 4 of the NLCS as the Dodgers wanted to prevent Freeman from playing in back-to-back games. Barring any setbacks, Freeman will be in the lineup for Game 6 as the Dodgers look to advance to the World Series.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza indicated that Senga is unlikely to pitch Friday in Game 5 of the NLCS against the Dodgers, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Mendoza had previously said Senga would be used in some capacity. However, David Peterson will start the game and it now appears Mendoza doesn't intend to use Senga in relief, barring an emergency. Senga started Game 1 of the NLCS and yielded three runs with a 0:4 K:BB over 1.1 innings.

Iglesias is absent from the lineup Friday in Game 5 of the NLCS versus the Dodgers, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Iglesias had started every game of the postseason so far for the Mets but is slashing just .227/.261/.227 in 11 contests. Jeff McNeil is starting at second base and batting eighth Friday as the Mets try to avoid elimination.

Winker will start at designated hitter and bat fifth Friday in Game 5 of the NLCS against the Dodgers, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

He sat in favor of J.D. Martinez in Games 3 and 4, but Winker will be back in there Friday as the Mets try to stave off elimination. The 31-year-old is 2-for-7 with a 2:2 BB:K at the plate during the NLCS.

McNeil is starting at second base and batting eighth Friday in Game 5 of the NLCS against the Dodgers, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

It's the first start this postseason for McNeil, who was added to the Mets' NLCS roster after recovering from a fractured right wrist. He is hitless in three pinch-hitting appearances to this point in the series. Jose Iglesias -- who is 5-for-14 with a 2:1 K:BB in the series -- will begin Friday's contest on the bench.

Pages will start in center field and bat ninth Friday in Game 5 of the NLCS against the Mets, Kirsten Watson of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

Pages is netting his second start in as many days as the Mets turn to a lefty (David Peterson) for the second day in a row. He went 0-for-4 with one strikeout in the Dodgers' Game 4 victory.

Freeman (ankle) will start at first base and bat fourth Friday in Game 5 of the NLCS versus the Mets, Kirsten Watson of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

Freeman didn't play in Game 4, as the Dodgers didn't want him to play three days in a row on his injured right ankle. He will be back in there Friday however, as his team tries to finish off the Mets and advance to the World Series.