Mets Game Preview (8/20/21) @ Los Angeles Dodgers (76-46)

The New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers get themselves ready for a Friday night matinee after the Dodgers took game one. They needed almost their entire bullpen to get it done, but they quieted the Mets offense in the 4-1 win. Game two from Dodger Stadium is scheduled for another late-night 10:10 p.m. ET start.

Thursday’s loss was just another example of how lost the team is at the moment. The life and energy this team once had are completely lost, especially without Francisco Lindor on the field. Jonathan Villar and Brandon Nimmo supplied some of that energy on defense, but it lacked from the entire team on offense. The Mets failed to generate any offense late in the game as the final ten batters were retired in order.

As solid as the Dodgers bullpen was in their win, it also means only a couple of relievers received a day off. Luckily with Walker Buehler on the mound, the bullpen usually has an easy workload. Will Smith has done plenty of damage to the Mets this year in a small sample size. Smith is 5-for-15 with a double, three home runs, and seven RBIs against them this season.

Pitching Matchup

Carlos Carrasco gets a second opportunity to beat the Dodgers after struggling his last time against them. Over two innings, the Dodgers put up six runs on six hits and clubbed three home runs. Carrasco has struggled in his four starts this season and has allowed 10 runs in his last three innings pitched.

Walker Buehler takes the mound for the Dodgers as he tries to keep building his Cy Young resume. Buehler leads MLB with a 2.09 ERA over 24 starts and is 12-2 on the season. In his last start against the Mets, Buehler dominated through seven innings, allowing just one run, and recorded 10 strikeouts. Buehler has lasted at least six innings in seven consecutive starts.

Matchups To Lookout For

Carlos Carrasco vs. Trea Turner: 4-for-5 (.800), 2 Doubles

Carlos Carrasco vs. Albert Pujols: 1-for-11 (.091), Walk, 2 Strikeouts