The New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers conclude their high-stakes four-game series at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, with both clubs vying for supremacy in the National League and jockeying for early-season playoff positioning in what has been one of the most competitive series of the year. The Mets come in at 37–22 and have seized control of the matchup, winning two of the first three games and riding an 8–2 surge over their last ten overall thanks to clutch hitting, sharp bullpen execution, and well-timed pitching performances, including a season-reviving outing from Paul Blackburn and consistent impact from stars like Francisco Lindor. The Dodgers, now 36–24, are just one game behind the Mets in the standings and remain one of the most formidable offensive units in baseball with Shohei Ohtani powering the lineup with 23 home runs and a torrid stretch that has included key late-game shots, but they have underwhelmed in high-leverage situations, particularly out of the bullpen, going just 2–3 as favorites over their last five games. Wednesday’s probable starters—Robert Stock for the Mets and Clayton Kershaw for the Dodgers—present an intriguing contrast: Stock has been a serviceable innings-eater with upside and a hot bullpen behind him, while Kershaw, still fighting through aging mechanics and an evolving pitch mix, brings a perfect 11–0 career record against the Mets and is coming off a solid five-inning performance that suggests he may be regaining form.

The Mets’ offense has been quietly lethal, with contributions from across the order including breakout moments from Starling Marte and Jeff McNeil, and they’ve consistently manufactured runs through patient at-bats and well-executed situational hitting—two traits that have neutralized the Dodgers’ usual dominance at Chavez Ravine. The Dodgers, meanwhile, have relied heavily on their stars—Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts—but their supporting cast has gone cold in recent games, and their bullpen has been exposed in the seventh and eighth innings by both blown leads and limited swing-and-miss potential from the bridge arms. The total for this game sits at 9.5, and with seven of the last ten games between these two clubs hitting the over, it’s reasonable to expect another high-scoring affair unless Kershaw rediscovers vintage form and Stock pitches above expectations in a hostile environment. The Dodgers’ challenge will be to capitalize early, force the Mets’ bullpen into extended work, and avoid late-inning defensive miscues that have plagued them during their recent 5–5 stretch. For the Mets, the goal will be to stay disciplined, put runners on base to pressure Kershaw, and rely on their bullpen depth—which has become a quiet strength—to close out yet another win against an elite team. With playoff energy already in the air and both teams aware of the long-term implications of each game, this series finale is likely to deliver another thrilling, tightly contested battle that showcases the best—and most volatile—elements of National League baseball.