Mets at Dodgers: 5 things to watch and series predictions | June 2-5

Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Mets and Dodgers play a four-game series in Los Angeles starting on Monday at 10:10 p.m. on PIX11.

5 things to watch

The Mets' big bats are heating up

After a collective slump for the Mets offense that included Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, and Pete Alonsobeing in a rut at the same time, New York's three most important bats have woken up simultaneously.

Lindor has six hits in his last 11 at-bats, including three home runs.

Soto reached base seven times over the weekend, smacking homers on Saturday and Sunday.

Alonso's hot streak goes back a bit more, with the first baseman on an eight-game hitting streak -- bashing three homers during that span.

It was only a matter of time before the Mets' big three found their footing again, and their recent impact has helped offset the fact that New York still isn't getting much from Mark Vientos, Brandon Nimmo, or Francisco Alvarez.

Paul Blackburn and the six-man rotation

After missing the end of last season and the first two months of this one due to injury, Blackburn will return on Monday when he gets the start against Los Angeles.

Blackburn's return is especially notable since it enables the Mets to start trotting out a six-man rotation.

Speaking late last week, president of baseball operations David Stearns suggested the six-man rotation wasn't something New York would roll with for the remainder of the season. Instead, they will deploy it when needed, including during stretches where they have lots of games in a row without a day off.

What will be interesting to see is how the Mets operate once Frankie Montas (in the middle of a rehab assignment) and Sean Manaea (close to a rehab assignment are back).

If every starting pitching option remains healthy, they will soon have eight options for six (or five) spots.

Reed Garrett has been close to untouchable

The Mets' bullpen has been terrific, including a current six-week run by Edwin Diaz where he has been at his absolute best.

And Garrett has been an enormous part of the success of the relief corps, serving as one of the main bridges to Diaz while allowing the opposition to do basically nothing against him.

In 25.2 innings over 26 appearances, Garrett has a 0.70 ERA and 1.13 WHIP.

His strikeout rate is an impressive 10.5 per nine, he is allowing a career-low 5.6 hits per nine, and has given up just one home run all year.

The Dodgers' pitching staff is badly shorthanded

The Mets will face Dustin May, Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, and Landon Knack during this series -- and those are four pitchers with serious talent.

But what the Dodgers are currently missing from their pitching staff is eye-popping.

Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell,Roki Sasaki, and Emmet Sheehan are all on the IL, making the current starting rotation much less vaunted.

Los Angeles' bullpen is also severely depleted right now, without Michael Kopech, Brusdar Graterol, Blake Treinen, Kirby Yates, and Evan Phillips -- with Phillips set to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery.

The Dodgers are still loaded with talent, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto (who started on Sunday night against the Yankees), but they are not anywhere close to their best right now.

Shohei Ohtani is on a torrid pace, but strikeout-prone

Ohtani, who is taking baby steps toward a return to game action on the mound, remains an offense-only weapon for now. And what a weapon he is.

Through 57 games, Ohtani is slashing .293/.390/.655. He is leading the National League in home runs (22), slugging percentage, and total bases (150), and leading the majors with 63 runs.

While Ohtani has been a menace in the box, he has been susceptible to strikeouts.

Ohtani has already fanned 66 times this season -- including 15 times in his last 10 games.

He is on pace to strike out 181 times, which would be his highest total since 2021 with the Angels.

Predictions

Who will the MVP of the series be?

Juan Soto

Soto looks locked in for the first time all year.

Which Mets pitcher will have the best start?

David Peterson

Peterson has been especially effective lately, allowing two runs or fewer in each of his last four starts.

Which Dodgers player will be a thorn in the Mets' side?

Freddie Freeman

Isn't he always?