Series Preview: Mets Host Dodgers to Begin Second Half

The New York Mets (42-48) enter the second half seven games out of a Wild Card spot in the National League, so it is now or never for this team to get on a run. Buck Showalter‘s team will be tested right out of the gate, as the Los Angeles Dodgers (51-38) visit Citi Field for a three-game set. The Arizona Diamondbacks have been at the top of the National League West for a large period of time, yet the Dodgers currently hold the better winning percentage. The Mets took two out of three when they were in Los Angeles back in April. Here are some important notes to look for in each of the three pitching matchups.

Friday, July 14, 2023: LHP Julio Urías (6-5, 4.76 ERA) vs. RHP Justin Verlander (3-4, 3.60 ERA) 

Julio Urías finished third in National League Cy Young Award voting last season, yet he has failed to rediscover the dominance he showed in 2022. The left-hander has given up five runs or more four times this season, which has heavily contributed to his elevated ERA. Urías has given up 14 home runs in 64 1/3 innings, an issue that has been there since 2021. He has not surrendered a home run in each of his last two starts, so maybe he is turning a corner in that department. The 26-year-old will be making his seventh road start of the season, going 1-4 with an 8.44 ERA in the previous six.

Justin Verlander has shown inconsistency throughout the first half, as he has been unable to showcase the form he had with the Houston Astros last season. The good thing for him is that the Mets have won in each of his last two starts, potentially pointing toward the light and the end of the tunnel. Verlander was far from dominant against the San Diego Padres on Jul. 7, but he was able to hold the opponent to three runs (two of which were earned) in six innings. Luckily for the veteran, he will begin an important stretch for the Mets at home, where he has pitched very well this season. In six starts at Citi Field, Verlander is 2-2 with a 2.19 ERA across 37 innings.

Saturday, July 15, 2023: RHP Tony Gonsolin (5-3, 3.86 ERA) vs. RHP Kodai Senga (7-5, 3.31 ERA)

The Dodgers are without Clayton Kershaw, Dustin May and Walker Buehler, which leaves them pretty thin in the rotation. Dave Roberts will send Tony Gonsolin for the second game of this series. The right-hander last pitched on Jul. 7 against the Los Angeles Angels, surrendering four runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings. Gonsolin has really struggled over his last four appearances, giving up four runs or more in each of those starts. The 29-year-old has pitched much better on the road in 2023, going 1-2 with a 3.14 ERA in 28 2/3 innings. He earned the victory in his only-ever start against the Mets, throwing six scoreless innings in June of last season.

Kodai Senga was a late addition to the National League All-Star team, a remarkable achievement in his first Major League season. He could have pitched in the All-Star game on Tuesday, but he prioritized being ready for a big second half with the Mets. Otherwise, he would not have been ready to pitch this weekend. Senga was magnificent against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Jul. 5, allowing one run on four hits while striking out 12 in eight innings. He had his best start of the season against one of the most potent lineups in the league. Senga will look to continue his success at Citi Field on Saturday, as he is 3-2 with a 2.64 ERA in eight home starts this season.

Sunday, July 16, 2023: RHP Bobby Miller (5-1, 4.50 ERA) vs. RHP Max Scherzer (8-3, 4.31 ERA)

Bobby Miller may be young, but the 24-year-old has the stuff to be a power-throwing right-hander for a very long time. He won each of his first two starts, and while his ERA is not ideal, he gives the Dodgers a chance to win every fifth day. Miller last pitched on Jul. 5 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, allowing four runs to score while striking out seven in 5 2/3 innings. For the first time in his career, he gave up multiple home runs in one game. Miller has reverse splits, as he has performed much better on the road this season, owning a 2.16 ERA away from Dodger Stadium. In comparison, he is 2-1 with a 5.93 ERA at home.

On Apr. 19, Max Scherzer’s start against the Dodgers was cut short after he was checked for the use of sticky substances, resulting in his ejection. That outing lasted a total of three innings, so this will be an opportunity for him to make up for that against his former team. While Scherzer has a great win-loss record, his performances have not been as dominant as he would like. He started the final game of the Mets’ most recent road trip, allowing five runs to score on six hits in five innings against the San Diego Padres. Scherzer will hope to bounce back against the Dodgers, a team he is 5-5 against with a 2.51 ERA in 17 appearances.