The New York Mets have won consecutive games to open their four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers that continues Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium
New York Mets at Los Angeles Dodgers
New York outfielder Jason Bay provided two home runs in last night’s 6-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers and has many in the clubhouse excited for the remainder of the week. “It’s a huge bonus for us,” Mets manager Terry Collins stated. “If you read into Bay’s history, when he gets going, he can carry you for a while.” The Mets offense came into yesterday’s game as one of the league’s hottest lineups, hitting .332 with five home runs and 60 RBIs in nine games. Overall, the Mets are hitting .264, the sixth-highest mark in the majors. The starting staff hasn’t been bad either, posting a 3.20 ERA since May 27. New York is 3-2 after shutting out an opponent this year and 17-20 over the last three campaigns.
Mets starting pitcher Jonathon Niese is an even 7-7 with a 3.72 ERA in 17 starts this season and is coming off a losing home effort against the Yankees. He allowed three runs and nine hits over six innings in that particular effort. The left-hander enters with a 4-3 winning record and 4.10 ERA in eight road outings, issuing 13 walks and registering 40 strikeouts in 48 1/3 frames. Niese will be making just his second career start versus the Dodgers, allowing three earned runs in 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision effort on May 6 at Citi Field.
Los Angeles continues to find little on offense and has scored just nine runs over the past five games. The Dodgers were unable to capitalize with runners in scoring position, stranding 13 runners last night. “That’s kind of been our story,” said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly. “We’ve done that quite a few times – being able to get guys out there and having trouble getting that hit.” With dropping last night’s contest, the club has now dropped the season series versus New York for the second straight season and fourth time in six years. Los Angeles is 4-4 after getting shutout this year and 11-12 against left-handed starters.
Dodgers starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda is 6-9 with a 2.90 ERA in 17 starts this season and snapped a six-game losing streak by picking up a 5-0 win over the Angels last time out. The right-hander has posted a 1.72 ERA with a .191 opponents batting average of his last six starts, but has received just 2.21 runs of support over that span. In six lifetime outings versus the Mets, Kuroda brings in a 1-4 mark and 5.70 ERA. He will be making his second start of the season against them, allowing five runs over 5 2/3 frames in a 6-3 loss on May 6 at Citi Field.
Bettors will be interested in backing the Mets due to their 17-7 record as an underdog, while the Dodgers are 0-4 versus the NL East
