Fresh off a 4-2 win, the Dodgers took 2 of the 3 games in Baltimore. The Dodgers (95-53) now travel to Citi Field to begin a 3-game series with the New York Mets (76-70). The Mets are coming off a sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks and are on a 4-game winning streak. Every game left has playoff implications for Mickey Callaway’s ball club as they currently sit 2 games back for the 2nd wild card spot. Earlier this season the Dodgers took 3 of 4 games from the Mets back in late May at Dodger Stadium, which included a wild come from behind walk-off victory against the struggling closer Edwin DÃaz. The first baseman Pete Alonso is a name everyone should become familiar with. The rookie has set a NL record for most home runs hit in a season breaking a mark set by Cody Bellinger. Alonso’s numbers are 47 HRs, 109 RBIs, .264/.363. Outfielder J.D. Davis has been a hot bat with a .409 average over his last 7 games. Todd Frazier has also been on fire by hitting .400 over the past week with 3 HRs. Jeff McNeil has put together an excellent campaign by hitting .325 over the course of the season with 20 HRs. The Mets have put together a nice group of hitters, but their biggest strength is their starting pitching.
Pitching Probables
Clayton Kershaw (13-5) 3.06 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 25 starts, 171 K’s                  vs
Noah Syndergaard (10-7) 4.06 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 28 starts, 176 K’s
Summary: Kershaw allowed 3 runs, 10 hits, including a 2-run HR to J.D. Davis for his 5th win of the season, while Syndergaard picked up a no decision when he faced the Dodgers allowing 3 runs over 6 innings. Thor accused the Dodgers of stealing signs earlier this season, so we will see how the Dodgers bats respond.
Hyun-Jin Ryu (12-5) 2.45 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 26 starts, 142 K’s                   vs
Jacob DeGrom (9-8) 2.70 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 29 starts, 231 K’s
Summary: The reigning Cy Young award winner has been phenomenal coming out of the All Star Break through 11 starts with a 1.85 ERA. Ryu has struggled in his last 4 starts with a 9.95 ERA. He looks to bounce back against a team that he pitched 7.2 scoreless innings against earlier this season.
Walker Buehler (13-3) 3.14 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 27 starts, 201 K’s                  vs
Zack Wheeler (11-7) 4.21 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 28 starts, 170 K’s
Summary: Alonso hit 2 HRs off Buehler the last time they squared off. Buehler is coming off a dominating start against the O’s and looks to carry that momentum into this finale. Wheeler has struggled in the past versus the Dodgers with an ERA of 7.88. Justin Turner is 4-8, while Bellinger is 4-8 with 4 HRs!
Final Thoughts: There could be a playoff atmosphere to this series. Chase Utley did retire, so Mets fans will need to find another reason to boo. I still believe the Dodgers will be able to take 2 of the 3 games against the Mets, which will include a wild come from behind victory.
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photo credit: SNY