Everything is coming up aces for the New York Mets (35-17), who have quickly established themselves as one of the National League’s best teams. A six-game winning streak has helped the Mets build a huge cushion for themselves in the NL East, one they will look to take advantage of as they kick off a daunting 10-game West Coast road trip tonight. First up is a matchup with the other top dog in the NL, the Los Angeles Dodgers (33-17), with the opener of a four-game series that could be a playoff preview scheduled for 10:10 p.m. at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers put together a strong title defense in 2021, going 106-56 during the regular season to finish one game back of the San Francisco Giants in the National League West. That record earned the Dodgers home-field advantage in the Wild Card game, where they beat the St. Louis Cardinals and eventually advanced to the National League Championship Series, where they fell to the eventual World Series champion Atlanta Braves. Los Angeles did get a measure of revenge on the Braves in the offseason by poaching Freddie Freeman on a six-year deal to help anchor the middle of their lineup. A series of solid depth moves have helped the Dodgers build their own early lead in the loaded NL West, making this series a good measuring stick for both teams.
The Mets will send right-hander Taijuan Walker (3-0, 2.83 ERA) to the mound tonight. Walker picked up his third win of the season last Saturday, giving up two runs in five innings of work against the Philadelphia Phillies. The Dodgers will counter with righty Tony Gonsolin (5-0, 1.80 ERA), who has had a sensational start to the 2022 campaign. Gonsolin earned his fifth win of the year last Saturday, allowing two runs in six innings to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Local Coverage:
Television: SNY
Radio: WCBS
New York Mets Lineup:
Late night baseball. #LGM
🆚: Los Angeles (NL)
💪: @tai_walker
📍: Dodger Stadium
🕕: 10:10 p.m.
📺: @SNYtv
📻: @wcbs880
🔗: https://t.co/tIOpxkMkGm pic.twitter.com/iummRZ9kbs— New York Mets (@Mets) June 3, 2022
Pre-Game Notes:
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The Mets went 1-6 against the Dodgers last season and dropped three out of four during their last trip to Dodger Stadium in August.
Walker is 3-2 with a 4.37 ERA in nine career starts against the Dodgers.
Gonsolin has never faced the Mets before.
Francisco Lindor is out of the starting lineup after slamming a hotel door on his middle finger. Luis Guillorme will start at shortstop and bat third.
Trea Turner is 4 for 13 (.308) with a double and an RBI in his career against Walker.
Eduardo Escobar is 5 for 13 (.385) with a double, two home runs and six RBIs against Gonsolin.
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