The New York Mets exacted at least a bit of revenge on the Los Angeles Dodgers at home just over a week ago, with another duel between the teams to resume this week.
The Dodgers now will play host to a four-game series against the Mets starting Monday and will do so following a series victory in a World Series rematch against the New York Yankees.
Los Angeles advanced into that World Series by getting past the Mets in a six-game National League Championship Series last season. When the teams met again May 23-25, it was the Mets who took two of three as the Dodgers scored a combined three runs in the two defeats.
Those two victories over the Dodgers started the Mets on a run of seven wins in eight games, including a just-completed three-game sweep over the Colorado Rockies.
In Sunday’s 5-3 victory at Colorado, Mets sluggers Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto all hit home runs. Soto has home runs in consecutive games, but those are the only two over his last 19 contests when he has batted .162.
The Mets are set to send right-hander Paul Blackburn to the mound in Monday’s series opener as he makes his 2025 debut after recovering from a myriad of ailments.
Acquired from the Athletics at last season’s trade deadline, Blackburn made five starts for New York before hand and spine injuries ended his season. He came away with a knee injury during spring training and an illness that interrupted that rehab.
“It feels good, obviously,” Blackburn, 31, said of his scheduled return, according to mlb.com.
“The last 10 months have been (a challenge) mentally. But just being able to kind of get past that and get to where I am now … it’s been fun.”
Through eight major league seasons, the California native has never faced the Dodgers.
The Dodgers are set to send right-hander Dustin May (3-4, 4.20 ERA) to the mound. May has won consecutive starts for the first time since his return from Tommy John surgery April 1. He struck out a season-high nine Tuesday against the host Cleveland Guardians in a 9-5 victory.
In two career appearances (one start) against the Mets, May does not have a decision with a 6.75 ERA in 6 2/3 innings.
Following 8-5 and 18-2 victories over the Yankees, the Dodgers dropped a 7-3 decision on Sunday while getting home runs from Tommy Edman, Andy Pages and Max Muncy.
After he went just 2-for-13 with a home run in the recent series against the Mets, Los Angeles’ Shohei Ohtani has four home runs in the six games since. He finished May with 15 home runs but opened June by going 0-for-4 with a strikeout.
The Dodgers are awaiting the return of All-Star Mookie Betts, who missed the weekend series with a fracture at the tip of a toe on his left foot. A trip to the injury list is not expected for the shortstop/outfielder, who is batting .254 this season and .207 over his last 15 games.
“I’m not frustrated by any means. It’s all part of life, all part of it,” Betts said about missing the past three games. “You gotta take the good with the bad. I’m not frustrated. I wouldn’t even call it an obstacle. It’s just whatever.”
–Field Level Media
