ANALYSIS OF THE NEW YORK METS vs LOS ANGELES DODGERS SERIES: JUNE 2-5, 2025

by: Victor Suarez

Executive Summary: A National League Powerhouse Showdown

The highly anticipated four-game series between the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, from June 2 to June 5, 2025, ended in a dramatic 2-2 split. This series, a rematch of a previous National League Championship, delivered intense competition, featuring three one-run games and two extra-inning thrillers. It highlighted the fierce rivalry and competitive balance between two of the National League’s top teams.

This series had major implications for potential playoff matchups, especially regarding home-field advantage. Under current MLB rules, the head-to-head record is the first tiebreaker for postseason seeding. The Dodgers ultimately lost the overall season series to the Mets, meaning if both teams finish with identical records, the Mets would gain home-field advantage in any playoff scenario. This makes every game between these rivals critically important.

The prevalence of close games, with three decided by a single run and two going into extra innings, showed the exceptional competitiveness and resolve of both teams. This suggests both clubs possess the mental toughness and clutch performance ability essential for a championship contender.

Game 1: June 2, 2025 – Mets Prevail in 10-Inning Thriller

The Mets opened the series with a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Dodgers in 10 innings. The game, played in front of a packed Dodger Stadium crowd of 48,556, lasted over three hours.

Offensively, Francisco Lindor led the Mets, starting with a leadoff home run in the first inning off Dustin May, his 14th of the season. Lindor also delivered a crucial RBI single in the 10th to extend the Mets’ lead. Francisco Alvarez broke a four-week RBI drought with a decisive double that drove in the go-ahead run in the 10th. Brandon Nimmo added an RBI double in the 5th. For the Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani hit his 23rd home run, a 424-foot shot, tying him for the major league lead. Ohtani later tied the game in the ninth with a sacrifice fly, forcing extra innings.

Mets pitcher Paul Blackburn delivered an impressive performance in his first major league appearance since last August due to injuries, throwing five scoreless innings and striking out Ohtani twice. Mets closer Edwin Díaz blew his first save of the season in the ninth but earned the win (3-0), with José Buttó securing the save. For the Dodgers, Dustin May allowed six hits, including Lindor’s homer, over six innings. Tanner Scott took the loss (0-2).

Díaz’s blown save, a rare event for him, highlighted the pressure of high-stakes situations, even for elite players. However, the Mets’ ability to still win showed their resilience. Scott’s loss for the Dodgers pointed to a potential weakness in their late-inning relief. Blackburn’s strong return was a significant positive for the Mets, providing stability to their rotation.

• Key Players:
  • Francisco Lindor (NYM): 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 Hits
  • Paul Blackburn (NYM): 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 K
  • Shohei Ohtani (LAD): 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 Hit

Game 2: June 3, 2025 – Dodgers Mount Dramatic Walk-Off Comeback

The Dodgers staged a dramatic 6-5 walk-off victory in 10 innings, showcasing their resilience in a back-and-forth battle.

The Mets took an early 1-0 lead with Pete Alonso’s RBI single. The Dodgers quickly responded with four runs in the first, including Freddie Freeman’s RBI double and Max Muncy’s two-run homer, putting them up 4-1. The Mets clawed back, with Juan Soto hitting a two-run homer to cut the lead to 4-3. Pete Alonso tied the game with an RBI double, and Brandon Nimmo’s RBI single put the Mets back in front 5-4. The game remained 5-4 until the bottom of the ninth, when Max Muncy hit his second homer of the game, a solo shot, to tie it and force extra innings. In the 10th, Freddie Freeman sealed the dramatic 6-5 victory with a walk-off double.

Mets starter Tylor Megill allowed four runs in six innings. For the Dodgers, Clayton Kershaw allowed five runs (three earned) in 4.2 innings. Mets relievers Huascar Brazobán and José Buttó struggled late, giving up the tying and winning runs. Tanner Scott earned the win for the Dodgers.

The Dodgers’ 20th comeback win of the season demonstrated their exceptional resilience and mental toughness, especially with Muncy’s two homers and Freeman’s walk-off hit. This game strongly indicated the Dodgers’ championship pedigree, showing their ability to overcome adversity. For the Mets, it was a tough loss, highlighting vulnerabilities in their bullpen when closing out games against top teams. Both starting pitchers struggled, reinforcing that bullpen depth and reliability are critical and often decisive factors.

• Key Players:
  • Max Muncy (LAD): 2 HR, 3 RBI, Game-tying HR
  • Freddie Freeman (LAD): 2 RBI, 2 Hits, Walk-off 2B
  • Pete Alonso (NYM): 2 RBI, 2 Hits, 1 2B
  • Juan Soto (NYM): 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 Hit

Game 3: June 4, 2025 – Alonso’s Power Surge Fuels Mets’ Dominant Win

The Mets secured a decisive 6-1 victory, propelled by Pete Alonso’s offensive explosion and Griffin Canning’s masterful pitching.

The Mets took an early 3-0 lead in the first, capped by Pete Alonso’s first two-run homer. Alonso was the offensive star, hitting two home runs and driving in five runs, including a 447-foot, three-run drive in the eighth, his 14th of the season.

Griffin Canning delivered a stellar outing for the Mets, holding the Dodgers’ powerful offense scoreless for six innings, allowing only three hits and striking out seven. The Dodgers’ only run came from Andy Pages’ solo homer in the ninth. Dodgers starter Tony Gonsolin gave up three runs (two earned) in five innings.

Alonso’s five-RBI performance was key to the Mets’ dominant win, providing crucial run support that allowed Canning to pitch confidently. Canning’s remarkable ability to neutralize the Dodgers’ “best offense” for six innings highlighted a strategic success for the Mets’ pitching staff and boosted their confidence against elite lineups.

• Key Players:
  • Pete Alonso (NYM): 2 HR, 5 RBI, 447 ft HR
  • Griffin Canning (NYM): 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 7 K
  • Andy Pages (LAD): 1 HR, 1 Run

Game 4: June 5, 2025 – Dodgers Rally Late to Secure Series Split

The Dodgers completed a dramatic late-inning comeback to defeat the Mets 6-5, securing a 2-2 series split.

The Mets built an early 4-0 lead in the second and third innings, with homers from Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, and Starling Marte off Dodgers starter Landon Knack. The Dodgers began their rally with three runs in the third, cutting the lead to 4-3. They then mounted a decisive three-run rally in the eighth to take a 6-5 lead, holding it for the win. Key offensive contributions included Will Smith’s double and 2 RBIs, and Mookie Betts’ two doubles and an RBI.

David Peterson delivered a solid start for the Mets, pitching seven innings and allowing three runs. However, Reed Garrett (1-2) took the loss and blew a save, giving up three runs (one earned) in the crucial eighth inning, which was the turning point. Landon Knack (3-2) struggled for the Dodgers, allowing four runs and three homers in 3.1 innings. Alex Vesia (2-0) earned the win in relief, and Tanner Scott recorded his 11th save.

The Mets’ blown 4-0 lead and Garrett’s blown save highlighted a recurring bullpen vulnerability, echoing struggles from Game 2. This consistent late-game inconsistency is a significant concern for the Mets. Despite Knack’s poor outing, the Dodgers’ offense showed remarkable resilience and depth, chipping away at the lead and capitalizing on the Mets’ bullpen struggles. This shows they can win even when their starters falter or their big bats aren’t hitting homers, making them a consistently dangerous team.

• Key Players:
  • Pete Alonso (NYM): 1 HR, 2 RBI, 3 Hits
  • Will Smith (LAD): 2 RBI, 2 Hits, 1 2B
  • Reed Garrett (NYM): 0.2 IP, 3 R (1 ER), Blown Save, Loss

Series Wrap-Up: A Glimpse into a Potential Playoff Rivalry

The 2-2 series split between the Mets and Dodgers showcased an intense rivalry between two National League powerhouses. Both teams demonstrated significant offensive firepower, with key home run hitters emerging on both sides.

A consistent and undeniable theme throughout the series was the volatility of both bullpens, leading to several late-game lead changes, blown saves, and dramatic shifts in momentum. While starting pitching performances were mixed, the relief corps often became the ultimate arbiters of victory or defeat, highlighting bullpen depth and reliability as a key area for both teams to monitor.

Despite the 2-2 split in this series, the Dodgers ultimately lost the overall season series to the Mets. This is a critical factor because the head-to-head record serves as the first tiebreaker for postseason seeding. Therefore, if the Mets and Dodgers were to finish the regular season with identical records, the Mets would hold home-field advantage in any potential playoff matchup, including a National League Championship Series. This elevates the strategic value of every regular-season game between these clubs.

For the New York Mets, the series demonstrated their significant offensive strength and the capability of their starting rotation to contain elite offenses. However, bullpen consistency in high-leverage situations emerged as a clear area for improvement for a deep playoff run.

For the Los Angeles Dodgers, the series showcased remarkable resilience and offensive depth, proving their ability to win games even when their starting pitching faltered. Their consistent capacity for comebacks is a major strength. Nevertheless, inconsistency from some starters and occasional bullpen lapses could be areas for refinement as the season progresses. The loss of the season series, and its tiebreaker implications, represents a strategic setback.

Overall, this series was a compelling preview of a potential postseason rivalry, demonstrating the strengths and weaknesses that could define both teams’ championship aspirations.