Mets vs Dodgers Pick: MLB’s Big Boys Play the 3rd Game of Their Series (Jun 4)

• Our Mets vs Dodgers pick assesses the 3rd game of the clash in LA between two of MLB‘s best teams
• Both teams are in 1st place in their divisions and are solid choices to meet again in the playoffs
• The Mets send Griffin Canning to the mound; the Dodgers respond with Tony Gonsolin

Canning Tries to Get Back to Early Season Success

Over his first nine starts, Griffin Canning was one of the best low-cost signings of the 2025 season. However, in his last two outings, he has struggled mightily. One of those games was against the Dodgers.

On May 23, he started at Citi Field against LA and gave up 3 earned runs on 1 hit and 4 walks in 2.2 innings. In his next start, against the woeful White Sox, he threw 3 innings, gave up 4 hits, and 3 earned runs.

His overall numbers are still quite good. In 53 innings, he’s given up 49 hits, 19 earned runs, allowed 25 walks, and struck out 50. He has a 3.23 ERA.

For the Dodgers against Canning, Mookie Betts is 3 for 8 with a double and a home run. Tommy Edman is 1 for 5 with a home run. Freddie Freeman is 1 for 6 with a home run. Teoscar Hernandez is 4 for 10 with a double and a home run. Will Smith is 2 for 5 with a double.

The Mets made a series of moves during this series, including placing Mark Vientos on the injured list with a hamstring injury and recalling Ronny Mauricio. The ball explodes off Mauricio’s bat, and he’s returning after missing all of 2024 with a knee injury. In Triple A, he batted .515 in 39 plate appearances with 3 home runs.

New York is still waiting for Juan Soto’s inevitable hot streak. He’s taking his walks and is playing excellent defense, but his power numbers have not yet exploded. Given his past, it is inevitable that it will eventually happen.

Gonsolin Has Had 3 Poor Starts in a Row

The Dodgers have little choice but to ride pitchers like Tony Gonsolin and hope to get innings from him as they wait for their preseason projected starters, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Roki Sasaki to return. Shohei Ohtani is also ramping up his bullpen sessions and live batting practice outings.

Gonsolin pitched respectably in his first three starts. Since then, he’s given up 13 earned runs in 15 innings, including a start in New York against the Mets. The Mets beat the Dodgers 5-2, and Gonsolin gave up 7 hits and 4 earned runs, walking 3. In his last start, he gave up 5 earned runs in 6 innings against the Yankees, including 4 home runs.

Soto is 6 for 15 with 2 doubles and a triple against Gonsolin. Brandon Nimmo is 1 for 5 with a home run. Pete Alonso is 2 for 7 with 2 singles. Francisco Lindor is 0 for 3.

LA’s Ohtani continues to lead MLB in home runs and slugging percentage. He’s already a 3.0 bWAR and has not yet taken the mound. Although far down the list in terms of star power, Andy Pages is having an All-Star season with an OPS above .800 and double-digits in home runs.

Their vaunted bullpen has been having a rough go, with the team leaning on it heavily due to the litany of injuries in the starting rotation.

Mets vs Dodgers Pick: Both Starting Pitchers Will Have Trouble

Given how poorly both starters have pitched recently, this has the chance to be a high-scoring affair decided by the bullpens. The Dodgers are favored in the run line by 1.5. The Mets should keep the game close even if they end up losing.