Match Preview
The Los Angeles Dodgers visit Citi Field to open a three-game series against the New York Mets on Friday, July 24, 2026. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.
Los Angeles is expected to start right-hander Roki Sasaki, while New York is scheduled to counter with veteran left-hander Sean Manaea. Sasaki enters the matchup with a 3-5 record, a 4.98 ERA and 85 strikeouts across 86⅔ innings. Manaea owns a 2-5 record, a 4.74 ERA and 81 strikeouts over 79⅔ innings.
Neither starter has produced dominant season-long numbers, which makes the quality of the two offences and bullpens especially important. That comparison favours Los Angeles.
The Dodgers entered the series having gone 62-36 when listed as moneyline favourites this season. New York, meanwhile, had won only nine of its 37 games as an underdog. Los Angeles also swept the Mets in a three-game series earlier this season, winning by scores of 8-2, 2-1 and 4-0.
The Mets have enough talent to remain competitive at home, but the Dodgers possess the deeper lineup and the more reliable overall roster. Los Angeles is the preferred moneyline selection.
Los Angeles Dodgers Analysis
The Dodgers enter Friday with one of baseball’s most dangerous collections of hitters.
Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy and Andy Pages give Los Angeles multiple threats capable of changing the game with one swing. Ohtani entered the series batting .283 with a .392 on-base percentage, while Freeman was hitting .289 with a .373 on-base percentage. Muncy had also supplied significant power, posting a .511 slugging percentage through 94 games.
That lineup depth becomes especially important against Manaea.
The Mets left-hander has allowed 82 hits and 42 earned runs across 79⅔ innings. Los Angeles should be able to create favourable matchups with its right-handed bats while still receiving quality at-bats from Ohtani and Freeman.
The Dodgers must avoid becoming too aggressive against a pitcher who can still generate strikeouts when he locates effectively. Making Manaea work through long at-bats could force New York into its bullpen before the later innings.
Sasaki remains the largest uncertainty on the Los Angeles side. His 4.98 ERA shows that he has not consistently prevented damage, and the Mets have enough capable hitters to capitalize if he struggles with command.
However, Sasaki has also recorded 85 strikeouts, demonstrating that his swing-and-miss ability remains intact. He does not need to completely shut down New York. If he limits walks and keeps the Mets from producing a major early inning, the Dodgers’ offence should provide enough support.
Los Angeles also enters with momentum after defeating Philadelphia 9-5 in its previous game. Max Muncy homered and Tommy Edman drove in three runs during that victory, giving the Dodgers another strong offensive performance heading into this series.
New York Mets Analysis
The Mets’ greatest offensive threat remains Juan Soto.
Soto entered the series batting .283 with a .404 on-base percentage and a .539 slugging percentage. His plate discipline and power make him extremely dangerous if Sasaki issues walks or falls behind in counts.
New York also receives contributions from Bo Bichette, Carson Benge and Brett Baty, but the lineup has not matched the overall depth of Los Angeles. Bichette entered Friday with a .256 average, while Benge was batting .263. The Mets will likely need several hitters beyond Soto to produce in order to win a higher-scoring matchup.
Manaea gives New York a veteran starter who understands how to navigate a talented lineup, but his 4.74 ERA creates concern against the Dodgers.
The left-hander must avoid walks ahead of Los Angeles’ power hitters and prevent Ohtani or Freeman from batting with multiple runners on base. If Manaea falls behind early, New York may be forced to chase the game with a lineup that has not consistently generated enough offence.
The Mets recently lost 4-3 to Milwaukee, continuing an uneven stretch for a team that has struggled to establish consistent momentum.
Why We Like This Pick
The starting pitchers have posted similar ERAs, so the selection comes down to lineup depth, recent results and overall reliability.
Los Angeles holds the advantage in each category.
The Dodgers have several elite hitters capable of punishing Manaea’s mistakes, while the Mets remain heavily dependent on Soto to generate their best offensive opportunities. Los Angeles has also performed extremely well as a favourite, winning more than 63 percent of those games.
The earlier season series also supports the Dodgers. Los Angeles won all three meetings and held New York to only three total runs. While those results do not guarantee another victory, they demonstrate that the Dodgers have already matched up effectively with this Mets roster.
Sasaki may allow a few runs, but Los Angeles should create more consistent scoring opportunities against Manaea and the New York bullpen.
Final Prediction
Expect both teams to generate offence during the opening innings, with Soto giving the Mets an opportunity to stay close.
The Dodgers’ deeper lineup should eventually separate the two teams. Los Angeles has more power, more dependable run production and enough bullpen support to protect a late lead.
Final Score Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers 6, New York Mets 4
Official FirePicksHQ Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers Moneyline