The May 24, 2025 matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets at Citi Field marks one of the most anticipated games of the weekend, featuring two of the National League’s premier clubs and a rematch of last year’s NLCS. The Dodgers arrive at 32–19, leading the NL West and continuing to perform at a high level despite battling injuries to top arms like Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki. Their offense has carried the weight, led by the scorching-hot Freddie Freeman, who enters the game hitting .361 and producing MVP-level consistency, and Shohei Ohtani, who has launched 17 home runs and driven in 31 runs. Teoscar Hernández has also played a key role, leading the team with 41 RBIs, and the Dodgers continue to showcase one of the deepest lineups in baseball, blending power, patience, and professional at-bats up and down the order. The rotation remains formidable even in the absence of its top arms, and Saturday’s starter Tony Gonsolin brings a 2–0 record and 4.05 ERA into the game. Gonsolin is a proven postseason-caliber pitcher who uses finesse and movement more than velocity, and his ability to work through the Mets’ power hitters will be a key to keeping the Dodgers in control. The bullpen has seen its share of injuries, but the Dodgers have maintained performance with a next-man-up approach, relying on depth and matchup-based management to protect leads.

On the other side, the Mets enter with a 30–21 record and sit in second place in the NL East, a few games behind the Braves, but their sights are set firmly on overtaking Atlanta. Pete Alonso is again proving to be the offensive heartbeat of the team, hitting .287 with 38 RBIs, while Francisco Lindor is quietly putting together a solid year with 10 home runs and a .277 average. The most transformative addition, however, has been Juan Soto, who signed a massive 15-year deal in the offseason and has brought both star power and plate discipline to the top of the lineup. On the mound, David Peterson is expected to start, and he’s been one of the Mets’ most consistent arms, entering with a 2–2 record and a 2.86 ERA, showcasing improved command and a better feel for his slider and changeup. The bullpen, anchored by Edwin Díaz and supported by Ryne Stanek, has been sharp and effective in tight games, closing out wins and keeping the Mets afloat even when the offense has been quiet. Injuries have hit the Mets as well, with Ronny Mauricio and Christian Scott on the shelf, but their roster depth has allowed them to remain highly competitive. Both teams have impressive ATS records—Dodgers at 32–19 and Mets at 30–21—and the head-to-head has favored L.A. slightly in recent matchups. Saturday’s game is crucial in terms of tone-setting, not just for the series but potentially for a postseason rematch, and will likely be decided by which starter settles in faster and which bullpen can handle late-game pressure. With stars on both sides and high stakes on the line, this game has all the makings of a marquee showdown between two of the National League’s best.