New York Mets vs Los Angeles Dodgers Picks and Predictions May 23rd 2025

Dodgers, Mets Seek Offensive Spark in NLCS Rematch

Friday night’s clash between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets isn’t just a rematch of last season’s National League Championship Series — it’s also a chance for two struggling offenses to find their rhythm. With both teams needing a jolt, the series opener at Citi Field comes at a pivotal moment in their seasons.

Searching for Consistency After Recent Slumps

The Mets snapped a season-high three-game losing streak with a 5-1 win over the Red Sox on Wednesday, but their offensive issues linger. Juan Soto and Pete Alonso — two of the team’s biggest bats — continue to scuffle. Combined, they went just 1-for-8 with five strikeouts in the win. Soto is batting .143 over his last 10 games, while Alonso has hit just .221 in May.

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Instead, it was Brett Baty and Francisco Lindor who stepped up. Baty drove in three runs from the ninth spot in the lineup, and Lindor homered to break a six-game home run drought for New York — the team’s longest since 2015.

“It was good to see those guys today not panicking — not that we have — but just continue to play your game.”
— Carlos Mendoza, Mets Manager

The Mets had scored three or fewer runs in seven straight games before Wednesday. Their 10-run total during that span marked their worst offensive stretch since June 2018.

Dodgers Also Looking to Reignite Offense

The Dodgers, too, are seeking stability at the plate. While they’ve avoided a full-blown skid with back-to-back wins, their bats have cooled considerably. After scoring at least seven runs in eight of their first 13 May games, Los Angeles has now been held to five or fewer in four straight contests.

Teoscar Hernandez delivered a much-needed jolt with a three-run homer in Wednesday’s 3-1 win over Arizona, helping Los Angeles escape the series with a victory. Manager Dave Roberts sees momentum beginning to shift.

“To find a way to win a series against that club within the division, I think there’s certainly some momentum.”
— Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager

Those following MLB picks will want to monitor how both offenses perform in this rematch. If the big bats for either team wake up, it could quickly shift the series outlook.

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Pitching Preview: Canning vs. Kershaw

Griffin Canning (5-1, 2.47 ERA) gets the nod for the Mets. He’s quietly been one of the team’s most dependable arms and is coming off a solid outing against the Yankees, allowing just two runs over 5 1/3 innings.

Canning owns a 2-1 record and a 3.86 ERA in four career starts versus the Dodgers.

Opposing him is Dodgers legend Clayton Kershaw (0-0, 11.25 ERA), making just his second start since returning from offseason foot and toe surgeries. Kershaw struggled in his debut, giving up five runs in four innings against the Angels. But his history against the Mets is spotless: an incredible 11-0 record with a 2.03 ERA in 17 regular-season starts.

He also faced New York in the 2015 NLDS, going 1-1 with a 2.63 ERA in two starts.