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The LA Dodgers are set to host fellow NL powerhouse the New York Mets for a three-game set starting Tuesday night. After a relatively easy series victory in the rematch against the New York Yankees, the champions are hoping for a repeat against the Mets, given their momentum.
Carlos Mendoza's Mets walked away with the series victory the last time the two teams met in May. With another high-stakes matchup between the MLB's best teams, experts and fans are compelled to make predictions as to how the series will pan out.
However, several unique scenarios can still play out given the level of talent in each team. Here are some bold projections for the anticipated matchup between the Dodgers and Mets.
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5 bold predictions for Dodgers vs. Mets
1) Juan Soto to return to form
Superstar Juan Soto has yet to find form since switching from the famous Yankee pinstripes to the Mets' blue and orange. He's batting .233/.363/.429 with an OPS of .792, 10 home runs, and 28 RBIs. Soto's stats are a far cry from his 2024 campaign, which saw him post a .288 batting average, .988 OPS, and 41 home runs.
Despite his struggles, look for him to turn things around with the pedigree of talent and protection he has in the lineup. In the previous meeting between the two squads in May, Soto recorded two hits and three RBIs.
2) Shohei Ohtani to lose his mojo
It would be difficult to bet against Shohei Ohtani. However, in spite of his dominance as a slugger, he has yet to impress against the Mets this year. The reigning NL MVP could be stifled by the Mets once again as he has posted a paltry .154/.214/.385 slash line with just two hits in 13 at-bats against the squad this season.
3) Clayton Kershaw to turn back the clock
Given the injuries to the Dodgers' pitching rotation, it might be farfetched to think they will outclass the Mets' pitching core that boasts the best ERA in the majors at 2.85.
Nevertheless, Game 1 starter Clayton Kershaw has history on his side as he is 11-0 with a 2.00 ERA across 18 starts in his career versus the Mets. Expect Kershaw to produce a vintage performance under Hollywood's brightest lights.
4) Francisco Lindor simmers down
The multiple-time All-Star is the hottest hitter in the Mets lineup. Lindor is batting .345/.375/.690 with three home runs and five RBIs in his last seven games. However, it's only a matter of time before he falls back to Earth. The 31-year-old has batted .234 against LA throughout his career.
5) Dodgers' bullpen to hold the line
The Mets boast the second-best bullpen in the NL with a 2.84 ERA. On the other hand, the Dodgers' bullpen holds a 4.02 ERA with plenty of its members on the IL. With that being said, the latter is playing with home-field advantage, so it should perform better than expected.
