Dodgers vs. Mets Showdown: Game Time, Key Matchups & How to Watch MLB’s Hottest NL Battle

First pitch at Citi Field tonight carries playoff energy even though it’s only late May. After splitting the first two games of the weekend set, the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets collide in a nationally-televised rubber match that has already sent “Dodgers vs Mets” surging up search trends on both coasts. Series so far • Game 1: Dodgers 7, Mets 5 (13 inn.) – Mookie Betts’ two-run single in the 13th rescued a bullpen that combined for 7 ⅔ scoreless frames. • Game 2: Mets 5, Dodgers 2 – Brett Baty’s three-run blast flipped the script and backed left-hander David Peterson, handing Tony Gonsolin his first loss of 2025. Sunday night pitching matchup Rookie right-hander Landon Knack (2-0, 2.84 ERA) receives the ball for Los Angeles against veteran southpaw José Quintana (3-1, 3.41 ERA). Manager Dave Roberts likes Knack’s swing-and-miss changeup versus a Mets lineup heavy on left-handed power, including Juan Soto and Jeff McNeil. Quintana, meanwhile, has held Freddie Freeman to a .214 average in 28 career plate appearances. Shohei Ohtani sighting Ohtani, still limited to DH duties as he rehabs his elbow, threw a 25-pitch live BP session in the afternoon and lit up the radar gun at 94 mph, the first time he’s faced hitters since surgery last September, according to team officials at field level. Roberts reiterated that the two-way superstar remains on track for a mid-2026 return to the mound, but the sight of Ohtani pitching drew crowds to the left-field bullpen well before gates opened. Why this game matters in the standings • Dodgers: 31-21, 2.5-game lead in the NL West. • Mets: 26-24, 1.0 game back of the final NL Wild Card slot. New York has not won a home series against Los Angeles since 2021, while the Dodgers are 7-3 in rubber games this season. Key match-ups to watch 1. Juan Soto vs Landon Knack – Soto owns a 1.139 OPS against changeups this year. 2. Betts vs Quintana – The Dodgers leadoff man has eight career homers off lefties at Citi Field. 3. Mets bullpen vs left-handed bats – Adam Ottavino and Brooks Raley threw 32 pitches apiece Saturday; Buck Showalter may lean on rookie flamethrower Nate Lavender late. Injury report • Dodgers: C Will Smith (concussion IL) taking light BP; RHP Walker Buehler (forearm) scheduled for Triple-A rehab Tuesday. • Mets: SS Francisco Lindor (thumb) remains day-to-day; RHP Edwin Díaz (elbow) progressing to flat-ground sessions. Betting line & TV info Oddsmakers opened Los Angeles as a –135 road favorite, total 7.5 runs. First pitch 7:10 p.m. ET on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball and SNLA. Bottom line The Dodgers rely on depth; the Mets counter with star power and a hungry Queens crowd. With Ohtani teasing his future, Soto heating up, and standings implications in play, tonight’s Dodgers-Mets finale has every ingredient to keep the spotlight shining on Citi Field well past Memorial Day.