The Los Angeles Dodgers had a nine-game winning streak at Citi Field snapped on Saturday but remain in position to earn a series win against the New York Mets and finish off their road trip with a winning record. At minimum, the Dodgers will go .500 during the six-game stretch.
As expected, Justin Turner again is not in the Dodgers lineup. It marks a seventh consecutive game he’s missed due to a sprained left ankle. Turner is expected to return Tuesday, after having nine days off.
After Matt Beaty made consecutive starts at third base, Chris Taylor now fills in for Turner. Meanwhile, Max Muncy is starting for a third time in as many games since returning from the 10-day injured list.
Muncy missed just over two weeks after sustaining a fractured right wrist that he acknowledged is not yet 100% healed. He’s 1-for-4 with two walks and three strikeouts since being activated.
Muncy and the Dodgers will look to provide run support for Walker Buehler. He’s coming off seven shutout innings in a record-setting performance that helped the Dodgers clinch a seventh consecutive National League West title.
Buehler allowed five runs on seven hits, including two home runs, in just five innings when he faced the Mets at Dodger Stadium back in May.
He’s opposed by Zack Wheeler, who has pitched to a 1.50 ERA over his past three starts despite opponents batting .300 during that stretch. Overall this season, the right-hander is 11-7 with a 4.21 ERA.
Since 2012, the Dodgers are 18-6 (.750 winning percentage) at Citi Field, which is the best in baseball over that stretch. The weekend’s series finale was selected for a national telecast as part of ESPN Sunday Night Baseball.
Dodgers lineup:
RF: Joc Pederson
1B: Max Muncy
3B: Chris Taylor
CF: Cody Bellinger
SS: Corey Seager
C: Will Smith
2B: Gavin Lux
LF: Kiké Hernandez
P: Walker Buehler
Mets lineup:
3B: Jeff McNeil
1B: Pete Alonso
RF: Michael Conforto
C: Wilson Ramos
2B: Robinson Canó
LF: J.D. Davis
CF: Brandon Nimmo
SS: Amed Rosario
P: Zack Wheeler
