The Los Angeles Dodgers return to New York to face the Mets at Citi Field starting Friday, July 24, a three-game series with direct playoff implications. The Dodgers lead the NL West. The Mets are chasing the NL East crown.
Both clubs are jockeying for position before the trade deadline. This is a measuring stick.
Series Schedule & Broadcast
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Fri, July 24 | 7:10 PM | SNY, SportsNet LA, MLB.TV |
| Game 2 | Sat, July 25 | 4:10 PM | SNY, SportsNet LA, MLB.TV |
| Game 3 | Sun, July 26 | 1:40 PM | SNY, SportsNet LA, MLB.TV |
Pitching Matchups
Saturday’s marquee starter for the Dodgers is expected to be Tyler Glasnow. The Mets counter with Kodai Senga, their ace, in a high-leverage duel.
Friday’s opener features the Dodgers’ Gavin Stone against the Mets’ Jose Quintana. Sunday’s finale pits Bobby Miller against the Mets’ Tylor Megill.
Bullpen edge: Dodgers rank 2nd in MLB in bullpen ERA (3.12). Mets rank 8th (3.68).
Key Players to Watch
Dodgers: Mookie Betts (.302 AVG, 22 HR, 68 RBI), Freddie Freeman (.295 AVG, 18 HR, 72 RBI), and the lineup’s left-handed power (Shohei Ohtani, Max Muncy).
Mets: Francisco Lindor (.278 AVG, 24 HR, 75 RBI), Pete Alonso (.260 AVG, 28 HR, 78 RBI), Brandon Nimmo (.275 OBP).
Injury updates: Dodgers’ Walker Buehler (right elbow) is out. Mets’ Edwin Díaz (right knee) is day-to-day.
Tactical Breakdown
Dodgers win by exploiting the Mets bullpen early. Get to Quintana or Megill before the sixth inning. The Dodgers rank 1st in runs scored in the first three innings (4.2 per game).
Mets win by neutralizing L.A.’s left-handed bats. Lefties hit .218 against Senga this season. Citi Field’s spacious outfield favors Nimmo’s range. Expect aggressive base-running from the Mets (23rd in stolen bases, but 4th in success rate).
Betting Odds (FanDuel)
| Series Line | Dodgers | Mets |
|---|---|---|
| To win series | -135 | +115 |
| Run total (Game 1) | O/U 8.5 (-110) |
FanDuel World Series odds: Dodgers +450; Mets +1200. A sweep for either side would shift these lines by 5-8%.
Playoff Stakes
The Dodgers need to maintain their 5.5-game lead in the NL West and build momentum before the trade deadline. The Mets, 3.5 games back of the Braves in the NL East, need wins to secure a Wild Card spot. A series loss for the Mets would drop them to 2.5 games ahead of the Padres for the final Wild Card.
Historical context: The Dodgers won 5 of 7 meetings in 2025, including 2 of 3 at Citi Field. This is a repeat of that pattern.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: When do the Dodgers vs Mets series start?
- A: The series begins Friday, July 24, at 7:10 PM ET at Citi Field.
- Q: Who are the starting pitchers for Dodgers vs Mets?
- A: Game 1: Gavin Stone vs Jose Quintana; Game 2: Tyler Glasnow vs Kodai Senga; Game 3: Bobby Miller vs Tylor Megill.
- Q: Which team has the better bullpen?
- A: The Dodgers rank 2nd in MLB with a 3.12 bullpen ERA, while the Mets rank 8th with 3.68.
- Q: Who are the key players to watch?
- A: For Dodgers: Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Shohei Ohtani; for Mets: Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo.
Extended Reading
This analysis draws from True Blue LA, Yahoo Sports, and Amazin’ Avenue for series previews and roster updates.