After going 6-2 on their road trip, punctuated by sweeping the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Los Angeles Dodgers begin a seven-game homestand. It starts with a Memorial Day matchup against the New York Mets in the opener of a four-game series.
Monday also marks the first of seven consecutive games the Dodgers will face a National League East opponent, as the Philadelphia Phillies roll into Dodger Stadium this weekend. The Dodgers are 5-2 against the NL East thus far, having played the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals.
The Dodgers and Mets begin their series with a marquee pitching matchup featuring Cy Young Award winners Clayton Kershaw and Jacob deGrom. Kershaw has earned the hardware three times, including back-to-back wins in 2013 and 2014.
He’s no longer the same pitcher from those handful of years back, but Kershaw has evolved and still proven to be effective this season as he further distances himself from shoulder trouble in Spring Training.
Kershaw takes the mound 4-0 with a 3.33 ERA, 3.69 FIP and 0.98 WHIP in seven starts this season. Dating back to last season, the Dodgers have won 15 consecutive games Kershaw has started.
deGrom, last year’s Cy Young Award winner, has been the victim of a lack of run support and therefore is a mere 3-5 with a 3.72 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 10 starts. deGrom has pitched to a 2.81 ERA over five outings in the month of May.
He went 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA in two starts against the Dodgers last season. He held them to just one run over six innings of a no-decision at Dodger Stadium.
With Austin Barnes placed on the 10-day injured list because of a strained left groin, the Dodgers called up Will Smith from Triple-A Oklahoma City. He brings their 40-man roster full upon joining the Dodgers for the first time in his career.
Additionally, as expected, Joe Kelly was reinstated from the bereavement list. Caleb Ferguson was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City in the corresponding roster move.
Dodgers lineup:
LF: Joc Pederson
1B: Max Muncy
3B: Justin Turner
RF: Cody Bellinger
SS: Corey Seager
CF: Alex Verdugo
2B: Chris Taylor
C: Russell Martin
P: Clayton Kershaw
Mets lineup:
SS: Amed Rosario
LF: J.D. Davis
RF: Michael Conforto
1B: Pete Alonzo
3B: Todd Frazier
2B: Adeiny Hechavarria
CF: Juan Lagares
C: Tomas Nido
P: Jacob deGrom
