Mets vs. Dodgers: A Battle for the NL Crown

The New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers are two of the most storied franchises in Major League Baseball. They have combined for 19 World Series championships and 35 National League pennants. In recent years, the two teams have been locked in a fierce rivalry, with the Dodgers holding a slight edge in head-to-head matchups.

The History of the Rivalry

The Mets and Dodgers first met in the 1955 World Series, with the Dodgers winning in seven games. The two teams met again in the 1965 World Series, with the Dodgers winning again in seven games.

In the years since, the two teams have met in the playoffs five times, with the Dodgers holding a 3-2 advantage. The most recent meeting came in the 2019 NL Division Series, which the Dodgers won in three games.

The Current State of the Rivalry

The Mets and Dodgers are both considered to be contenders in the 2023 season. The Mets have a strong rotation led by Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, and Justin Verlander. The Dodgers have a powerful offense led by Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Will Smith.

The two teams are scheduled to meet seven times in the regular season, with three games at Citi Field and four games at Dodger Stadium. The first meeting is scheduled for April 7th at Citi Field.

The Key Matchups

There are several key matchups to watch when the Mets and Dodgers meet.

• Jacob deGrom vs. Mookie Betts: DeGrom is one of the best pitchers in baseball, while Betts is one of the best hitters. This matchup will be a battle of strength vs. strength.
• Max Scherzer vs. Freddie Freeman: Scherzer is another top pitcher, while Freeman is one of the best hitters in the NL. This matchup will be a test of Scherzer's ability to control Freeman's bat.
• Justin Verlander vs. Will Smith: Verlander is a veteran pitcher who can still be effective, while Smith is a rising star who is coming off a breakout season. This matchup will be a battle of experience vs. youth.

The Importance of the Rivalry

The Mets-Dodgers rivalry is one of the most important in baseball. It is a matchup between two of the most successful teams in the NL, and it always has a lot of implications for the pennant race.

The rivalry is also important because it is a battle between two of the most passionate fan bases in baseball. The Mets and Dodgers fans are both very knowledgeable and passionate about their teams, and they always bring a lot of energy to the ballpark.

The Benefits of the Rivalry

The Mets-Dodgers rivalry is a good thing for baseball. It is a matchup that always draws a lot of attention, and it helps to keep the NL East and NL West races interesting.

The rivalry also helps to make the regular season more exciting. The Mets and Dodgers are always playing for something, and their games always have a lot of intensity.

The Conclusion

The Mets-Dodgers rivalry is one of the most important and exciting in baseball. It is a matchup between two of the most successful teams in the NL, and it always has a lot of implications for the pennant race. The rivalry is also a good thing for baseball, as it helps to keep the regular season more exciting.

Call to Action

I encourage you to check out the Mets-Dodgers rivalry for yourself. If you are a fan of baseball, you will not be disappointed.