Dodgers at Mets
Clayton Kershaw will come off the disabled list for the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday and couldn't ask for a better opponent to face than the New York Mets - if not for the pitcher opposing him. Kershaw has never lost to the Mets in 12 career starts but will match up against New York right-hander Jacob deGrom, owner of a major league-leading 1.51 ERA.
Kershaw was initially scheduled to make a rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday, but the forecast of rain in Omaha, Neb., prompted the Dodgers to accelerate the left-hander's return to the majors. Sidelined since June 1 with a back injury, Kershaw carries an 8-0 record and 1.84 record in 12 starts versus New York into the second of the three-game series. Conversely, deGrom never has beaten in the Dodgers, going 0-3 with a 3.26 ERA in six starts, but he has permitted a combined seven earned runs over his last 11 outings. Cody Bellinger's grand slam was the big blow in Los Angeles' 5-2 victory on Friday night - the Dodgers' 10th consecutive win in the series and the Mets' 11th loss in their last 12 games at Citi Field.
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (1-4, 2.76 ERA) vs. Mets RH Jacob deGrom (5-2, 1.51)
Kershaw missed nearly the entire month of May due to biceps tendinitis before limiting Philadelphia to one run on four hits over five innings in a no-decision on May 31. He went on the disabled list the following day and returns to make his fourth start on the road, where he is 0-1 despite a 2.37 ERA and .219 batting average against. Kershaw had made five starts at Citi Field, posting a 3-0 mark and 1.31 ERA.
DeGrom ended a five-start winless drought at Colorado on Monday by holding the Rockies to two runs (one earned) and five hits over a season high-tying eight innings. He was 0-2 over his previous five turns despite permitting five earned runs and striking out 44 batters over 36 innings. Justin Turner is hitless in 13 at-bats against deGrom, who allowed two homers in a 6-0 home loss to the Dodgers last August.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Dodgers have scored 104 runs in June and 51 have come via the home run ball.
2. Mets OF-3B Jose Bautista hit a two-run homer Friday, his first blast in 28 games with the team.
3. Dodgers SS Chris Taylor missed the series opener due to tightness in his left hamstring.