Mets Take Two of Three From Dodgers in Series Matchup of National League’s Best Teams

The Los Angeles Dodgers are running away from the competition in the National League West and have the best record in the National League. The New York Mets have the second best record in the N.L. but the Atlanta Braves are close behind. The Dodgers and Mets squared off in a three game series in New York on August 30th-September 1st in what could be a preview of the N.L. League Championship Series. The two split a four game series in Los Angeles in June.

All three games were low scoring, close games, as one would expect with the caliber of pitching staffs these clubs have.

L.A.s Gavin Lux drove in three runs, including the game winner, in the Dodgers’ 4-3 Game 1 win. In Game 2, Jacob deGrom pitched seven innings and allowed just one run as the Mets edged the Dodgers 2-1. DeGrom returned from injury in August and completed the month with a 4-1 record, 1.98 ERA, and 55 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings. His return is huge for New York’s post season ambitions.

Speaking of pitchers returning, Clayton Kershaw made his first start for Los Angeles since August 4th and pitched five innings, allowed one run, and struck out six, but the Mets scored a pair of runs each in the sixth and seventh innings to take Game 3 of the series 5-3 on September 1st. New York won the season series four games to three and leads the Atlanta Braves by three games going into Labor Day Weekend. Despite losing two of three to the Mets, the Dodgers lead the San Diego Padres by 18 games and are the 1st club to win 90 games this season