The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets have jostled for the best record in the National League throughout most of the season, and now meet at Dodger Stadium for the first time this year.
While they enter play with the two best records in the NL, the teams are headed in different directions of late. The Mets are on a six-game winning streak while the Dodgers are coming off being swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
“Tip the cap to them. They played good baseball and did what they had to do,” Justin Turner said after Wednesday’s loss. “And for us, put it behind us as fast as we can and show up tomorrow and try to figure out how to win a ballgame.”
The series came on the heels of a successful 8-2 record on the Dodgers’ longest road trip of the season. Despite their recent downturn, the Dodgers and Mets head into their four-game series with the same number of losses (17) and sitting atop their respective divisions.
Tony Gonsolin tries to play the role of stopper for L.A. and add to what’s been an impressive 2022 campaign. Gonsolin is in the midst of a career-long streak of three consecutive starts with six innings pitched and he’s yet to allow more than two earned runs in each of his nine outings.
Gonsolin has never faced the Mets in his career. Their lineup features a bevy of talented hitters, led by reigning NL Player of the Week Francisco Lindor, who earned the honor over Mookie Betts and others.
Taijuan Walker is on the hill for the Mets in what’s his eighth start of the season. The California native is 3-0 with a 2.83 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. Walker went 0-1, allowed a combined five runs and had 12 strikeouts across 12.2 innings in back-to-back starts against the Dodgers last August.
Prior to the game the Dodgers recalled Caleb Ferguson and optioned Michael Grove to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Ferguson is up with the team for a second time this year.
The club also placed Kevin Pillar on the 10-day injured list with a left shoulder fracture and recalled utility man Zach McKinstry for the fourth time this season.
Cody Bellinger makes his first start since suffering a left adductor strain. Bellinger did play Wednesday as a replacement for Kevin Pillar, who twice had his left shoulder pop out and back into place.
Trea Turner remains in his familiar spot in the order and brings with him an MLB-best 24-game hitting streak.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
SS: Trea Turner
C: Will Smith
DH: Edwin Ríos
3B: Justin Turner
CF: Cody Bellinger
LF: Chris Taylor
2B: Gavin Lux
Mets lineup
CF: Brandon Nimmo
RF: Starling Marte
SS: Luis Guillorme
1B: Pete Alonso
2B: Jeff McNeil
LF: Mark Canha
3B: Eduardo Escobar
DH: J.D. Davis
C: Patrick Mazeika
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