Coming into the 2023 season, Mets followers seemingly circled the Dodgers sequence to open the second half as a possible NLCS preview between two of baseball’s most proficient groups.
While Los Angeles sits in a well-recognized place atop the NL West, the disappointing Mets enter this weekend’s three-game set at Citi Field determined for wins to maintain their playoff hopes alive.
The Mets (42-48) start the second half 18.5 video games behind the NL East-leading Braves and 7 video games out of the third and remaining NL Wild Card spot. Baseball’s most-expensive roster must move 5 groups to search out itself again within the playoff image.
That mission resumes Friday evening, with Mets co-ace Justin Verlander scheduled to pitch towards the Dodgers’ Julio Urias.
The 40-year-old Verlander — who’s within the first season of a two-year, $86.7 million contract — ended his uneven first half on a excessive word, permitting two runs over 18 innings throughout his final three begins.
He’ll look to proceed his sizzling streak towards a loaded Dodgers lineup boasting the second-most residence runs amongst MLB groups, the third-best OPS and the fourth-most runs scored. Lineup regulars Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith and J.D. Martinez made the All-Star crew for the Dodgers.
Fortunately for the Mets, the sometimes robust Urias is within the midst of a troublesome season. His career-worst 4.76 ERA is greater than two occasions increased than final yr’s MLB-best 2.16.
The lefty, a former 20-game winner who completed third in Cy Young voting final season, is coming off one in all his higher begins of the yr — eight strikeouts and two runs allowed towards the Pirates — after back-to-back unhealthy outings wherein he solely lasted three innings apiece.
Right-handed batters are hitting .259 with 10 residence runs towards Urias this season, that means Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor ought to have alternatives to do injury. A win would assist set the tone towards a Dodgers crew the Mets took two out of three from in Los Angeles in April.
Kodai Senga is anticipated to start out Saturday for the Mets after being named an All-Star however not pitching in Tuesday’s recreation. Max Scherzer is scheduled to go Sunday, whereas the Dodgers haven’t introduced the remainder of this weekend’s starters.
Scherzer, whose 4.31 ERA is the second-worst of his profession, ended the primary half with a loss by permitting 5 runs to the Padres. The Mets completed the primary half on a two-game dropping streak after profitable six straight to start July.
New York has struggled on each side of the diamond, rating among the many backside half of MLB groups in runs scored and crew ERA.
“You’ve got to have different things click,” supervisor Buck Showalter stated after Sunday’s loss. “And like I said before today, when something’s not working well, something else picks it up. … There’s no perfect team or perfect player. That’s why it’s the epitome of a team game.”
The Mets hope to get extra out of Alonso, who slugged a then-MLB-leading 22 residence runs earlier than he was struck on the left wrist by a Charlie Morton pitch final month. The All-Star first baseman has solely hit 4 residence runs in 20 video games since coming back from the injured listing and is batting .143 in July. His .211 batting common this season is a profession low.
With fewer than three weeks remaining earlier than the Aug. 1 commerce deadline, the subsequent few sequence ought to assist the Mets resolve whether or not to purchase or promote. Playing the Dodgers — who, at 51-38, lead the NL West by share factors over the Diamondbacks — gives a pleasant litmus take a look at.
METS HEADED TO LONDON IN 2024
Fans throughout the pond will get an opportunity subsequent season to fulfill the Mets, who’re set to play the Phillies from June 8-9 in London.
The MLB London Series debuted in 2019 with the Yankees enjoying the Red Sox and, following a COVID-related postponement, returned this season for Cubs vs. Cardinals.
The Mets’ choice for the worldwide journey is a spotlight of the crew’s 2024 schedule, which was launched Thursday. They open the season at residence towards the Brewers on March 28 and also will host the Dodgers on Memorial Day (May 27) and the Red Sox on Labor Day (Sept. 2).
The 2024 Subway Series video games towards the Yankees are scheduled for June 25-26 at Citi Field and July 23-24 at Yankee Stadium.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com