New York Mets vs Los Angeles Dodgers: How to Watch Live, Start Time & Key Matchups in Tonight’s NL Showdown

LOS ANGELES — The latest chapter in the New York Mets–Los Angeles Dodgers rivalry delivered all the late-night drama East-Coast fans have come to expect. Francisco Álvarez’s line-drive double to right in the 10th inning snapped a month-long RBI drought and propelled the Mets to a 4-3 victory at Dodger Stadium, evening the June set at one game apiece and nudging New York back atop the NL East by half a game. Shohei Ohtani reminded everyone why he’s the sport’s premier two-way attraction, blasting a 424-foot seventh-inning homer — his MLB-leading 23rd — before tying the game with a ninth-inning sacrifice fly. Yet Edwin Díaz, working for the third time in four nights, limited the damage to earn his first blown save but keep New York within striking distance. Key takeaways • Lindor’s leadoff thunder: Francisco Lindor opened the contest by turning Dustin May’s second pitch into his 14th homer of 2025; the Mets are 27-0 when Lindor leaves the yard, the second-longest win streak attached to a single player’s homer in MLB history. • Álvarez ends skid: The catcher’s extra-inning double halted a stretch of 57 at-bats without an RBI and underscores how deep the Mets’ lineup has become since Juan Soto’s arrival. • Blackburn’s surprise: Making his season debut after back and knee injuries, right-hander Paul Blackburn tossed five scoreless frames and struck out Ohtani twice, a promising sign for a rotation that has battled inconsistency. • Dodgers’ bullpen woes: Lefty fireballer Tanner Scott (0-2) surrendered the go-ahead runs and has now allowed nine earned runs in his past 6 ⅔ innings, raising questions about Dave Roberts’ late-inning mix. NL playoff implications The Mets (39-22) now own the best record in the National League, while the Dodgers (37-25) cling to a slim division lead over the surging Padres. With both clubs aiming for a first-round bye under MLB’s expanded postseason, every head-to-head outcome matters. Up next: Kershaw vs. Megill Future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw (0-0, 4.91 ERA) makes just his fourth start since returning from shoulder surgery and will be on a moderate pitch count Wednesday. The Mets counter with Tylor Megill (4-4, 3.52 ERA), whose splitter has generated a 36% whiff rate over his last three outings. First pitch is set for 10:10 p.m. ET on MLB Network and SNY/ SportsNet LA locally, with streaming available via MLB TV (blackout restrictions apply). Stat pack • Ohtani’s 10 homers in his last 18 games are the most in any stretch of that length in his career. • The Dodgers’ 21-10 home record remains the NL’s best despite Monday’s loss. • Lindor’s six leadoff homers tie Ohtani for the league lead. What to watch • Can Muncy snap his 2-for-17 skid against righties? • Will Soto test Kershaw early by forcing him into the stretch, where the veteran’s velocity has dipped by 1.5 mph in 2025? • How will Roberts deploy his bullpen after Scott’s rough stretch — expect Brusdar Graterol in the eighth and Evan Phillips in the ninth if LA has a lead. Bottom line Every Mets-Dodgers matchup feels like October in June, and Tuesday’s instant classic only heightens anticipation for the rubber game. With star power, standings pressure, and historic Dodger Stadium as the backdrop, baseball’s spotlight is right where it belongs: on the coasts but watched everywhere. Tune in, because if recent history is any guide, something unforgettable is bound to happen when New York and Los Angeles collide.