Dodgers Send A Clear Message With Lineup Change Before Mets Finale

In a strategic lineup shift, the Dodgers are poised to continue their dominance over the Mets with Yamamoto on the mound.

The Dodgers are in position to take another series from the Mets, and Saturday’s matchup at Citi Field comes with a few notable lineup tweaks.

Los Angeles opened the set with a 4-2 win on Friday, riding a strong outing from Roki Sasaki and Kyle Tucker’s two-run homer. Now the Dodgers can finish the job, improve to 5-0 against New York this season, and claim their third straight series since the All-Star break.

They’ve already locked up a winning road trip, sitting at 5-2 with two games left before heading back home.

On the mound, Yoshinobu Yamamoto gets the ball after one of the best starts of his season. Against the Yankees last weekend, he threw the first complete game of his regular season career, giving up two runs over nine innings while striking out seven.

For the year, Yamamoto is 10-6 with a 2.78 ERA in 119.2 innings, along with 113 strikeouts and 25 walks. He also saw the Mets in April, when he worked 7.2 innings of one-run ball with seven strikeouts in a 2-1 Dodgers win.

New York counters with Nolan McLean, who also appeared in that April 14 game at Dodger Stadium. McLean matched up well with Yamamoto that night, allowing one run over seven innings and striking out eight before taking a no decision.

He’s put together a strong first full big league season, posting a 3.34 ERA over 113.1 innings with 135 strikeouts and 41 walks. He was especially sharp in his first start after the break, blanking the Phillies for six innings and fanning 10.

The Dodgers’ lineup also has a different look, with Tucker and Teoscar Hernández moved down to the seventh and eighth spots. Tommy Edman is batting sixth.

First pitch is set for 4:15 p.m. PT/7:15 p.m.

ET on Saturday, July 25. The game will air on radio on AM570 in English and KTNQ 1020 AM in Spanish.

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