The New York Mets (30-20) host the Los Angeles Dodgers (31-19) on Friday, May 23, 2025. First pitch from Citi Field is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET; the game will be broadcast on Apple TV+.
According to the Mets fans on the internet, the sky is falling in Queens, and this is the worst team ever assembled. They have lost five of their last seven games, and Juan Soto is miserable and a bust. In reality, New York is 10 games over .500 and has the second-best record in the National League. Just a game above them are the Dodgers, who rebounded for two straight wins after briefly dropping four in a row.
Find my Dodgers vs Mets prediction and pick for this NLCS rematch below.
Dodgers vs Mets Prediction, F5 Pick
- Dodgers vs Mets pick: Mets First Five Innings (F5) Moneyline (+102 | Play to -110)
My Dodgers vs Mets best bet is the Mets F5 Moneyline. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs New York Mets Odds, Lines
| Dodgers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +150 | 8.5 -120o / +100u | -112 |
| Mets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -180 | 8.5 -120o / +100u | -108 |
Dodgers vs Mets Projected Starting Pitchers
| LHP Clayton Kershaw (LAD) | Stat | RHP Griffin Canning (NYM) |
|---|---|---|
| 0-0 | W-L | 5-1 |
| -0.1 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 0.6 |
| 11.25 / 11.88 | ERA /xERA | 2.47 / 3.75 |
| 7.58 / 6.14 | FIP / xFIP | 3.86 / 3.37 |
| 2.00 | WHIP | 1.29 |
| -5 | K-BB% | 14.6 |
| 26.7 | GB% | 55.2 |
| 95 | Stuff+ | 93 |
| 90 | Location+ | 102 |
Dodgers vs Mets Preview, Prediction
Dodgers Betting Preview: Uncertainty in Kershaw's Second Start
Clayton Kershaw will make his second start of the season for the Dodgers, and it is hard to know what to expect from the future Hall of Famer.
After dealing with injuries for the past few seasons and undergoing offseason knee surgery, Kershaw returned last week and allowed five runs across four innings.
Kershaw’s slider looked like its usual self, but his fastball velocity slowed, and he got smacked on contact. Kershaw managed just two strikeouts and issued three walks in the outing. Kershaw struggled with his command, and when he found the zone, he was hit hard.
It doesn’t feel like this Dodgers offense has hit its groove yet, and they are still second in the league in runs. They have the best team batting average and sit second in home runs and OPS. They are as deep and dangerous as any lineup in the sport.
Freddie Freeman continues to avoid Father Time, Shohei Ohtani is on his way to another MVP award, Will Smith remains underrated, and they recently got Teoscar Hernandez back from the injured list.
Mets Betting Preview: Canning an Unlikely Anchor
There were some questions about the Mets' rotation entering the season, but this group has all performed great to start the season.
Griffin Canning is off to a career-best start, sitting 5-1 with a 2.47 ERA. He's due for some regression, but even his 3.75 xERA would be the best of his career.
Canning is allowing a career-high hard-hit rate, but his strikeout rate is up, and he has kept the ball on the ground at an elite level. Canning ranks among the top 10% of qualified MLB pitchers with a 55.6% ground ball rate. Getting hit hard is not as damaging when the ball is on the ground as often.
The pitching staff has helped to elevate a Mets lineup that ranks just 14th in scoring. They have shown league-average power and rank 15th in team batting average. The Mets do a solid job of getting on base but have been inconsistent at the plate.
Pete Alonso has been the best hitter on this team, leading the way with 37 runs batted in and a .930 OPS. The Mets dropped a bag on Soto, but he has not yet lived up to that. He is hitting just .243 with an .803 OPS, including just .179 over the last two weeks.
Dodgers vs Mets Prediction, Betting Analysis
The Mets are coming off a much-needed day off to reset and return home after a dramatic series against the Yankees and Red Sox.
With the temperature rising around this team, being back at home will be a welcome sight.
Despite the inconsistencies, New York is still a top 10 offense. Even though the Dodgers have the clear advantage at the plate, the Mets have a greater advantage on the mound, especially in the first five innings.
Kershaw is a future Hall of Famer, but he is far from his prime and still working his way back from injury. In his first outing back, his velocity was down, he struggled with his command and allowed a ton of hard contact.
Canning is having a breakout season with the Mets, keeping the ball on the ground at an elite level while also upping his strikeout rate. He has allowed one run or fewer in six of his nine starts this year and has given up more than two runs in an outing just once.
New York has been much better at home, with a 17-5 record at Citi Field. I expect them to get off to a strong start with Canning on the mound on Friday.
Pick: Mets F5 ML (+102 | Play to -110)
