Game Preview
The Los Angeles Dodgers return home Monday night trying to keep pressure on a New York Mets club that has dropped 5 straight. This matchup brings a hot top half of the Los Angeles order against a New York lineup that needs more than a few scattered hits after averaging just 1.8 runs over its last 5 games. With light rain in the forecast, a total of 8.5, and two very different recent form lines, this one sets up as a tight test of depth, late pitching, and timely hitting.
Game Information
| Date | Monday, April 13, 2026 |
| Time | 10:10 PM EST |
| Venue | UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium |
Recent Matchup History
- June 5, 2025: New York Mets 5 at Los Angeles Dodgers 6
- June 4, 2025: New York Mets 6 at Los Angeles Dodgers 1
- June 3, 2025: New York Mets 5 at Los Angeles Dodgers 6
- June 2, 2025: New York Mets 4 at Los Angeles Dodgers 3
- May 25, 2025: Los Angeles Dodgers 1 at New York Mets 3
Why Los Angeles Could Win
Los Angeles could control this game if its lineup keeps doing what it has done over the last 10 games, where the club is 7-3 with an average of 6.9 runs scored. The top of the order gives them a real shot to do that. Shohei Ohtani went deep and reached base three times Sunday, while his history against this pitching matchup is strong at .412 with an .856 OPS. Will Smith has also hit this opponent well, posting a 1.319 OPS, and Andy Pages owns a huge 1.500 OPS in the same split. The Dodgers also have the steadier bullpen setup tonight. Their team stress is only 6, and key late arms like Edwin Díaz, Alex Vesia, and Tanner Scott all show as available. At home, Los Angeles is also 6-4 over its last 10, and if Justin Wrobleski can hand off a clean middle game, the relief edge favors the Dodgers.
Why New York Could Win
New York could win if it gets an early lead and forces Los Angeles to chase the game instead of sitting comfortably behind its late arms. The Mets bullpen is in even better shape by workload, carrying a team stress score of 4, with Luis García, Richard Lovelady, and Luke Weaver all available and none having pitched yesterday. That matters if this turns into a matchup game by the sixth inning. There is also enough proven talent at the top of the New York lineup to flip the script quickly. Francisco Lindor had 2 hits in his last game, and the Mets have played much better as an underdog, going 3-2 in their last 5 in that role and 6-4 in their last 10. Their recent road sample is also better than the overall skid suggests, with a 3-2 mark in their last 5 away games. If they cash in early traffic and keep Ohtani and Smith from doing damage, they can make this uncomfortable for Los Angeles.
Final Pick
Los Angeles Dodgers ML (-165)
