Fresh off a series win over the Baltimore Orioles, the Los Angeles Dodgers continue their road trip in the start of a three-game set against the New York Mets at Citi Field.
While the Dodgers have already clinched a seventh consecutive National League West title in record time, the weekend matchup still has significant postseason implications for the Mets.
New York enters Friday’s opener having won four consecutive games and seven of their last 10, trailing the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers by only two games for the final NL Wild Card spot.
Looking to propel them to a five-game winning streak is Noah Syndergaard, who enters with a 10-7 record, 4.06 ERA, 3.47 FIP and 1.19 WHIP in 175 innings pitched (28 starts).
The right-hander struggled in his most recent outing against the Philadelphia Phillies, yielding four runs on six hits in only five innings of work. It was only the third time since the start of July in which he allowed at least four runs in a start.
Syndergaard previously faced the Dodgers on May 29 and was tabbed with a no-decision after allowing three runs with five strikeouts in six innings pitched. He questioned if perhaps the Dodgers had some sort of unfair edge or insight after the outing.
Syndergaard has fared much better on the road this season, pitching to a 3.20 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 90.2 frames (15 starts). That’s compared to a 4.86 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 13 games at Citi Field.
Opposing him is three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw, who looks to provide more length in his 26th start of the season. The left-hander hasn’t pitched out of the fifth inning since Aug. 25 against the New York Yankees — a span that includes two outings.
Kershaw enters with an overall 13-5 record, 3.06 ERA, 3.74 FIP and 1.05 WHIP in 159 innings pitched this season. He last faced the Mets on May 27 and earned a victory despite not being at his sharpest, yielding 10 hits and three runs with five strikeouts in six frames.
In his career against New York, Kershaw owns a perfect 9-0 record, 2.14 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with 103 strikeouts in 92.1 innings of work (14 starts).
Prior to first pitch, the Dodgers activated Max Muncy from the 10-day injured list. He is batting second and playing first base. Justin Turner remains sidelined by a mild left ankle sprain and will not appear in any of the three games.
Dodgers lineup:
RF: Joc Pederson
1B: Max Muncy
3B: Matt Beaty
CF: Cody Bellinger
SS: Corey Seager
LF: A.J. Pollock
2B: Gavin Lux
C: Will Smith
P: Clayton Kershaw
Mets lineup:
SS: Amed Rosario
LF: J.D. Davis
3B: Jeff McNeil
C: Wilson Ramos
2B: Robinson Canó
1B: Todd Frazier
RF: Michael Conforto
CF: Juan Lagares
P: Noah Syndergaard
