The Los Angeles Dodgers make the trip to Citi Field on Sunday, July 26, for a 1:40 PM ET first pitch against the New York Mets. Emmet Sheehan gets the start for Los Angeles while Freddy Peralta takes the mound for New York. With a loaded Dodgers lineup — Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and Kyle Tucker all in the fold — this is exactly the kind of road matchup Los Angeles needs to handle if it wants to hold serve in the second half of the 2026 season. Catch the action on SportsNet LA or Dodgers Radio AM570.

Dodgers at Mets: Sunday, July 26, 2026 Game Preview

Emmet Sheehan gets a significant opportunity here. The young right-hander has shown flashes of genuine front-of-the-rotation potential since coming up through the Dodgers system, and road starts against a lineup like New York's are the moments that define what kind of pitcher you can be at this level. The Mets will not make it easy. Francisco Lindor bats second and Bo Bichette slots in at third, giving New York legitimate middle-of-the-order threat well before you get to the cleanup spot.

On the other side, Freddy Peralta is a legitimate challenge for any offense. The right-hander has long been one of the more electric arms in the National League, with a high-spin fastball and a swing-and-miss breaking ball that can neutralize even disciplined lineups. The Dodgers will need to work counts and stay patient early — easier said than done when Peralta is commanding his stuff.

Dodgers Lineup: Offensive Firepower Top to Bottom

Manager Dave Roberts has constructed a lineup that is difficult to navigate for any starting pitcher. Here is how Los Angeles lines up at Citi Field:

• 1. Shohei Ohtani, DH
• 2. Andy Pages, CF
• 3. Freddie Freeman, 1B
• 4. Max Muncy, 3B
• 5. Mookie Betts, SS
• 6. Tommy Edman, 2B
• 7. Kyle Tucker, RF
• 8. Teoscar Hernández, LF
• 9. Eliezer Alfonzo, C

The depth here is real. Ohtani leading things off is the obvious headliner, but the addition of Kyle Tucker gives this lineup a legitimate middle-of-the-order presence in the six-through-eight range that most clubs simply cannot match. Peralta will need to be sharp from pitch one — there is no soft patch in this order to catch a breath.

Keys to Watch for the Dodgers

• Sheehan's command early: Getting ahead in counts against Lindor, Bichette, and the Mets' top of the order is critical. If Sheehan falls behind hitters, New York's lineup has the discipline to make him pay.
• Ohtani vs. Peralta: This is the marquee individual matchup of the afternoon. How Peralta attacks Ohtani leading off will set the tone for how the Dodgers' offense flows the rest of the game.
• Tucker and Hernández producing late: If Peralta is dealing, it will fall on the bottom half of the Dodgers' lineup to manufacture something against New York's bullpen in the later innings.
• Mets' lineup depth: Don't overlook Carson Benge and Brett Baty for New York. Sheehan cannot afford to lose focus against the bottom third of the Mets' order.

Prediction

This is a winnable game for Los Angeles, but it requires Sheehan to give the Dodgers length and limit the Mets' offense through the first time through the lineup. If he can navigate Lindor and Bichette without major damage, the Dodgers' offense — even facing a quality arm in Peralta — has enough firepower to put runs on the board. Expect a competitive, low-scoring game that comes down to which bullpen holds up in the late innings. Dodgers take this one, 4–2.