Series Preview: Dodgers Come to Town

After a day off on Monday, the Mets (82-47) are continuing their late-August home stand, this time facing off against the Dodgers (89-38) in a three-game series. The last time these teams met, it was the start of a gauntlet West Coast road trip for the Mets. This time, the Dodgers are one of only three teams with a winning record the Mets will face to finish the year.

The Mets are coming into this series having taken three of four from the Rockies at Citi Field after being swept in a two-game series against the Yankees in the Bronx. The bats were quiet at Yankee Stadium, as the Mets only scored two runs each game. The offense got a lift against the Rockies in the form of Mark Canha, who had a solid series, going four for nine with three doubles and three RBIs. The pitching was mostly solid against the Rockies, including a stellar one-run start from Max Scherzer in the Mets’ only loss during the four-game series.

The Dodgers are coming into this series after winning three of four from the Marlins in Miami. With the best record in baseball and the largest division lead in the league, the Dodgers are likely to cruise into the 2022 playoffs. Still, LA’s season hasn’t been without problems.

Their starting pitching has been decimated by injuries. Star Clayton Kershaw has been on the injured list since August 5 with a lower back injury, though he may make his return on Thursday against the Mets. On Monday, the team had to use Michael Grove as a spot starter in place of 2022 All-Star Tony Gonsolin, who was placed on the injured list with a right forearm strain. Finally, Walker Buehler has been on the shelf since June 10, with what was first diagnosed as elbow discomfort. He has since had his second Tommy John surgery, putting him out of action for the rest of this year, and next season as well.

Tuesday, August 30, 2022: RHP Taijuan Walker (10-3, 3.38 ERA) vs. LHP Andrew Heaney (2-1, 1.94 ERA)

Walker has been up and down this August. He was abysmal in both of his outings against the Braves, giving up eight runs in a little over an inning of work against them on August 5, and failing to make it past the second inning against them on August 16, leaving the game early with back spasms. His outings against the Reds and Yankees were better, as he went six innings against the Reds and five innings against the Yankees, giving up two runs in both games. Hopefully on Tuesday against the Dodgers the Mets get the Walker who faced the Reds and Yankees, and not the Walker who faced the Braves.

Heaney, on the other hand, missed a lot of time early on in the season due to shoulder soreness and two long injured list stints, but he’s pitched pretty regularly for the Dodgers since July 27. His last outing was against the Brewers, and he went six innings, his longest outing since returning from the injured list. He gave up two runs on four hits and one walk in that game, while striking out ten.

Wednesday, August 31, 2022: RHP Jacob deGrom (3-1, 2.15 ERA) vs. LHP Tyler Anderson (13-2, 2.69 ERA)

DeGrom has been on fire for the Mets since his season started on August 2. He’s made it through the sixth inning in each of his last three outings, and the hope is he will toss above 100 pitches Wednesday against the Dodgers. In his last start, against the Rockies, he went exactly six innings, giving up one run and striking out nine. He faced the Braves two starts ago, going 6 2/3 innings while giving up three runs and striking out nine.

Anderson’s last two outings have been against the Marlins. In his first start against them, he went seven innings, giving up one run on five hits, while walking three and striking out six. His second start against them was shorter, as he only made it through 5 1/3 innings. But it was still a solid start, as he only gave up two runs and three hits.

Thursday, September 1, 2022: RHP Chris Bassitt (11-7, 3.34 ERA) vs. TBD

Bassitt has been giving the Mets innings in August. He’s only failed to reach the sixth inning in one of his five starts this month, and he has thrown over 100 pitches twice. Bassitt’s last outing was against the Rockies. He went 7 1/3 innings, giving up four runs. Bassitt faced the Dodgers back in June. He went six innings, giving up four runs in a game the Mets ultimately lost 4-3.

Prediction

The Dodgers’ offense has been hot lately, scoring double-digit runs in four of their last eight games. Couple that with the fact that both Heaney and Anderson have pitched well against the Mets in the past, and this series starts to look daunting for the Mets. And that’s without even considering that Kershaw might make his return on Thursday.

Still, I’ll predict a 2-1 series win for the Mets because it’s what I want to see happen, even if it seems unlikely.