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Mets' Juan Soto and Dodgers Face Off: A Battle of Power and Precision at Citi Field

First Inning


As the Mets prepare to host the Dodgers at Citi Field, all eyes will be on Juan Soto, the Mets' right fielder, who has shown consistent performance in recent games. In their last three matchups, Soto has maintained a batting average of .194 with an on-base percentage of .258. While these numbers might not jump off the page, his ability to get on base and create opportunities for his teammates cannot be understated. In particular, his performance against the Red Sox on May 20th was noteworthy, where he achieved a batting average of .333 and an on-base percentage of .5.


Oct 20, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Mets pitcher Sean Manaea (59) pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning during game six of the NLCS for the 2024 MLB playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

On the other side of the diamond, Mookie Betts stands out for the Dodgers. As a shortstop, Betts has been a key player in their lineup. His recent performances include a standout game against the Diamondbacks on May 20th, where he hit an impressive .500 with two home runs. This kind of power hitting makes him a significant threat to any opposing pitcher.


Second Inning


The Mets' pitching staff will need to be at their best to contain Betts and the rest of the Dodgers' lineup. Clayton Holmes, one of their starting pitchers, has shown promise with an ERA of 3.0 over his last three games. His ability to keep hitters off balance with a WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) of 1.1667 is crucial for setting up defensive plays.


Oct 20, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) hits an RBI single in the sixth inning against the New York Mets during game six of the NLCS for the 2024 MLB playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

For the Dodgers, Yoshinobu Yamamoto is expected to take the mound as one of their starting pitchers. With an impressive ERA of 0.0 in his most recent outing against the Diamondbacks and a WHIP of 0.4286, Yamamoto's precision pitching could pose challenges for Mets hitters like Francisco Alvarez and Pete Alonso.


Third Inning


Francisco Alvarez has been another bright spot for the Mets offensively. The catcher boasts a batting average of .167 over his last three games but had an exceptional performance against Boston on May 19th with two hits in four at-bats and one run scored.


Oct 20, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Michael Kopech (45) reacts in the first inning against the New York Mets during game six of the NLCS for the 2024 MLB playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman continues to be reliable at first base with consistent fielding percentages across recent games while contributing offensively as well—his OPS (on-base plus slugging) reached 1.6 during their game against Arizona.


Fourth Inning


As both teams look towards this matchup at Citi Field scheduled for May 23rd at 7:10 PM ET (available on Apple TV+), it’s clear that individual performances will play pivotal roles in determining which team comes out on top.


The Amazins have home-field advantage but must capitalize on every opportunity presented by Soto's presence in right field or Holmes’ command from atop the mound if they hope to secure victory over Los Angeles’ formidable roster led by Betts' explosive batwork alongside Freeman’s steady contributions both defensively & offensively alike!


Don't miss this exciting clash between these two powerhouse teams! Share your thoughts about who you think will shine brightest under those bright lights come game day!

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