Heavyweight Battle

By : Mike Rifkin

On Thursday night the two best teams in the National League will begin a four game series as the New York Mets will travel to Los Angeles to play the Dodgers. In 2021 The Dodgers took six of the seven meetings. 

The Mets are coming into LA hot, after sweeping a six game homestand against the Phillies and the Nationals. There aren’t many players on a better streak then Francisco Lindor. The reigning National League Player Of the Week has driven in a run in 10 consecutive game, making him only the second Met ever to do the feat along with Hall Of Famer Mike Piazza. Mets first baseman Pete Alonso is hitting .288 with four home runs and nine RBIs in his career against the Dodgers. . The Mets aren’t too reliant on the home run, they are more aggressive on the bases, stuff we have seen from the Dodgers in years past. 

The Dodgers are coming off getting swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Dodgers have been the best team in the National League over the years. Prior to last season they had won the NL West eight consecutive seasons. This offseason the Dodgers made a massive splash by signing First baseman Freddie Freeman from the Braves. Freeman is hitting .295 with four home runs and 30 RBIs. In his career against the Mets Freeman has a .305 batting average with 28 home runs and 115 RBIs. Shortstop Trea Turner who was traded from the Nationals at the trade deadline last season along with Max Scherzer who is now a Met has hit in 24 straight games. Turner is hitting .297 with 12 home runs and 36 RBI and 32 stolen bases against the Mets. For the season is hitting .297 with five home runs and 41 RBIs. Then there is Mookie Betts who has been red hot recently. Betts for the season is hitting .306 with 16 home runs and 35 RBIs. 

These two teams are in the top 15 in major league baseball in Batting Average and ERA. This series should still be solid even though three of the best pitchers in baseball will miss it. Jacob DeGrom and Max Scherzer for the Mets and Clayton Kershaw for the Dodgers. 

Pitching Matchups

Thursday : Taijuan Walker (3-0 2.83 ERA) vs Tony Gonsolin ( 5-0 1.80 ERA)

Friday : Chris Bassitt ( 4-2 3.66 ERA) vs Tyler Anderson (6-0 2.90 ERA)

Saturday : David Peterson (2-0 3.03 ERA) vs Walker Buehler (6-1 3.22 ERA)

Sunday : Trevor Williams (1-3 3.58 ERA) vs Julio Urias (3-5 2.89 ERA)