Dodgers Aim to End 5-Game Skid in Series Opener vs. Mets
Mets’ Dramatic Win
The New York Mets are having a tough May, but they’re not the only ones struggling. On Monday, they’ll host the Dodgers, who are eager to snap their unusually long losing streak at Citi Field. The Mets are coming off a thrilling victory on Sunday, while the Dodgers are desperate to end their five-game skid as the teams kick off a three-game series. Tylor Megill (0-2, 3.00 ERA) will start for the Mets against Dodgers right-hander Gavin Stone (4-2, 3.60 ERA).
Omar Narvaez delivered a walk-off RBI single Sunday afternoon as the Mets scored three times in the ninth to edge the San Francisco Giants 4-3, ending their own five-game skid. The Mets, who have scored three runs or fewer nine times this month, trailed 3-1 entering the ninth before collecting four hits—including Harrison Bader’s two-run double with one out—against Tyler Rogers to improve to 7-16 (.304) since May 1.
New York hasn’t had fewer than 10 wins in May since 1993, when they went 9-18 (.333) and finished the season 59-103, marking the franchise’s most recent 100-loss season. “There’s no way around it—we’ve been struggling,” said Mets pitcher Sean Manaea, who allowed two runs in five innings and was spared the loss by the ninth-inning comeback. “To get a win like this, against a very, very good team like that and ‘Ty Rog’ (Giants reliever Tyler Rogers), that’s huge. We’ll take it any way we can.”
Dodgers’ Struggles
The Dodgers’ losing streak reached five games after a 4-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds in the finale of their three-game series. Over the past five games, they’ve been outscored 29-11. The only player with a multi-hit effort in the last two games is outfielder Teoscar Hernandez, who was 2-for-4 on Sunday with a pair of doubles. “When you’re not hitting, it certainly seems lifeless,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “The bottom line is that it’s about results, and we’re not getting them right now. I think everyone in that clubhouse understands that we’ve just got to keep going. There’s no team that’s going to feel sorry for you.”
Pitching Matchup
Tylor Megill returned from a nearly two-month stint on the injured list due to a right shoulder strain on May 20. He took the loss after allowing three runs (two earned) over five innings as the Mets fell to the Cleveland Guardians 3-1. He is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in two career starts against the Dodgers.
Gavin Stone lost on Tuesday after giving up four runs over six innings in the Dodgers’ 7-3 home defeat to the Arizona Diamondbacks. He didn’t factor into the decision in his lone previous appearance against the Mets on April 20, when he allowed two runs over 3 1/3 innings in New York’s 6-4 victory in Los Angeles.
Conclusion
As the Dodgers aim to end their five-game losing streak and the Mets look to build on their recent dramatic win, the series opener promises an intriguing matchup. With both teams eager to improve their standings and key players like Tylor Megill and Gavin Stone set to take the mound, baseball fans can anticipate a compelling contest.