The Los Angeles Dodgers continue their important road trip after taking two of three from the Philadelphia Phillies with a three-game set against the New York Mets at Citi Field.
At 69-46, the Dodgers sit second in the National League West, five games behind the San Fransisco Giants. The Mets are second in the NL East with a 59-55 record and a half-game behind the division-leading Phillies.
Julio Urias starts the series opener and enters with a 3.41 ERA and 3.41 FIP. He is also tied for the league lead in wins with 13.
Urias has not faced the Mets this season, but he has pitched them three times in his career, with his last appearance coming in 2019.
Urias has struggled every time he has faced the Mets, throwing just a combined four innings while allowing 10 hits and seven runs. However, most of the damage came in 2016 during his first career start when he threw 2.2 innings and allowed three runs on four hits.
In his other two outings out of the bullpen, Urias allowed two runs each time. Luckily for the Dodgers, Urias has vastly improved and has been one of baseball’s best starters this season.
The Mets have been just about league average against southpaws, hitting .242/.325/.387 with a 99 wRC+ in 1,153 plate appearances.
Their offense has also been dreadful in August, as they have hit .201/.285/.331 with a 74 wRC+.
The Mets will counter with young right-hander Tylor Megill, who has come out of nowhere to provide some stability to the Mets rotation.
In 45 innings, Megill has a 3.20 ERA and 3.93 FIP. He has not faced the Dodgers yet in his career.
Against righties, the Dodgers are hitting .252/.344/.430 with a 113 wRC+ in 3,106 plate appearances this season.
The Dodgers will also be without Justin Turner for at least one more game after he missed the series against the Phillies due to left groin discomfort.
The Dodgers will avoid Mets’ ace Jacob deGrom this series as he is currently on the injured list with right forearm inflammation.
Billy McKinney gets a chance to face his former team as he is starting in right field and batting eighth. The Dodgers acquired McKinney from the Mets in exchange for Minor League outfielder Carlos Rincon.
Dodgers lineup
2B: Trea Turner
1B: Max Muncy
C: Will Smith
SS: Corey Seager
LF: AJ Pollock
3B: Chris Taylor
CF: Cody Bellinger
RF: Billy McKinney
P: Julio Urias
Mets lineup
CF: Brandon Nimmo
1B: Pete Alonso
2B: Brandon Drury
3B: J.D. Davis
SS: Jonathan Villar
C: James McCann
LF: Kevin Pillar
RF: Albert Almora Jr.
P: Tylor Megill
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and more!
