The Los Angeles Dodgers ended their three-game losing streak by shutting out the New York Mets and now look to generate some momentum in the second of a four-game series at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers and Mets are the consensus two best teams in the National League and even Trea Turner admitted the atmosphere on Thursday resembled shades of playoff baseball. L.A. enters play with an NL-best 34-17 record and a four-game lead on the San Diego Padres in the NL West.
Tyler Anderson takes the mound on Friday, riding a streak of 20 consecutive scoreless innings as he hasn’t allowed a run since the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 17.
Anderson has arguably been the second-best starting pitcher for the Dodgers and his 2.90 ERA and 48 strikeouts over 49.2 innings are eye-popping numbers for someone who before the season didn’t have a guaranteed spot in the rotation.
Because of injuries to Clayton Kershaw and Andrew Heaney, plus the added success of Tony Gonsolin, Anderson’s one-year, $8 million contract is beginning to shape up to be one of the best bargains in MLB.
He faces a Mets lineup that features a few hitters who have punished left-handers this season in Pete Alonso (166 wRC+), Brandon Nimmo (162 wRC+), and Eduardo Escobar (137 wRC+).
Chris Bassitt is perhaps the most important arm for the Mets after injuries to Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom and Tylor Magill. He carries a 3.66 ERA, and a 4.31 FIP into Friday’s game, and on the season has allowed nine home runs in 59 innings pitched, tied for 9th-most in MLB.
Trea Turner extended his MLB-best hitting streak to 25 games, and over that span, is hitting .343 with a 174 wRC+ that includes 14 extra-base hits.
Zach McKinstry is making his first start since getting recalled as the corresponding move to Kevin Pillar being placed on the 10-day injured list due to a fractured left shoulder.
Prior to the game the Dodgers placed Edwin Ríos on the 10-day IL due to a right hamstring strain and called up Eddy Alvarez from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
SS: Trea Turner
C: Will Smith
3B: Justin Turner
CF: Cody Bellinger
LF: Chris Taylor
DH: Zach McKinstry
2B: Gavin Lux
Mets lineup
CF: Brandon Nimmo
RF: Starling Marte
SS: Francisco Lindor
1B: Pete Alonso
DH: J.D. Davis
LF: Mark Canha
3B: Eduardo Escobar
2B: Jeff McNeil
C: Tomás Nido
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