The Los Angeles Dodgers head to Flushing on Friday, July 24, for a 7:10 PM ET first pitch against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Roki Sasaki gets the ball for the Dodgers, squaring off against Mets left-hander Sean Manaea in what shapes up as a compelling pitching matchup. With the regular season in full swing, this road contest against a Mets lineup loaded with recognizable names carries real weight in the National League standings. Catch it on SportsNet LA on television or Dodgers Radio AM570.

Dodgers at Mets: Friday, July 24 Pitching Matchup at Citi Field

Roki Sasaki has been one of the most closely watched pitchers on the Dodgers staff since arriving stateside, and outings like Friday's — on the road, against a deep lineup, in a big-market atmosphere — are exactly the measuring-stick opportunities that define a pitcher's standing in the National League. Sasaki's arsenal, built around a devastating splitter and a fastball with elite spin, gives him the weapons to neutralize any lineup he faces. How he handles the middle of the Mets order will tell the story of this one.

On the other side, Sean Manaea gets the start for New York. A seasoned southpaw with experience in big games, Manaea presents a legitimate challenge for the Dodgers offense. Left-handed pitching always demands attention from a Los Angeles lineup that needs to stay disciplined and work counts to get to the Mets bullpen.

Mets Lineup the Dodgers Must Contain

The Mets are sending out a formidable group of hitters. Here is what the Dodgers will be looking at on Friday night:

• A.J. Ewing (LF) — Leadoff man setting the table for New York
• Juan Soto (DH) — One of the most dangerous hitters in baseball batting second
• Bo Bichette (3B) — Hits third and gives the Mets a high-contact presence in the heart of the order
• Francisco Lindor (SS) — The Mets captain batting cleanup, a constant threat for extra bases
• Carson Benge (RF) — Provides depth in the five-hole
• Luis Robert Jr. (CF) — Power and speed in center field at six
• Jared Young (1B) — Rounds out a lineup with no obvious soft spots
• Marcus Semien (2B) — Veteran presence and experience in meaningful games batting eighth
• Francisco Alvarez (C) — One of the most talented young catchers in the game batting ninth

Keys to Watch for the Dodgers

• Sasaki versus the middle of the order: Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor hitting second and fourth means Sasaki cannot afford to lose focus or command in the heart of the Mets lineup. Keeping those two off the bases is the central task of the evening.
• Offense against Manaea: The Dodgers will need to work the count against an experienced left-hander and look to do damage when they get pitches to hit. Letting Manaea cruise on soft contact will put the Dodgers in a hole early.
• Handling Citi Field: Road environments test focus. Citi Field has its own dimensions and atmosphere, and the Dodgers need to play their game rather than react to the crowd or the moment.

Prediction

This game comes down to Roki Sasaki's ability to match Sean Manaea pitch for pitch through the middle innings. The Mets lineup is deep enough to make any mistake costly, particularly with Soto and Lindor in the heart of the order. If Sasaki commands his splitter and keeps the ball down, the Dodgers have the pitching quality to steal a win on the road. Edge: Dodgers 4, Mets 2, with Sasaki delivering six solid innings and the offense doing just enough damage against Manaea in the middle frames.