The New York Mets have hit a rough patch lately, going 5-5 in their last ten games, while the Philadelphia Phillies took over first place in the National League

Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers play a three-game series at Citi Field starting on Friday at 7:10 p.m. The last time these teams faced off was last year’s NLCS when the Dodgers ended the Mets’ miraculous postseason run -- jumping on both Sean Manaea and Kodai Senga in a Game 6 clinching victory.

Kodai Senga opened Friday with the best ERA in the NL. His 1.16 mark through seven starts is bettered only by the Yankees’ Max Fried’s 1.05.

Learning how to incorporate all the information available to him in the U.S. has been critical to Senga’s success.

Kodai Senga gave up three earned runs for the first time since 2023 and the Mets failed to capitalize with runners in scoring position in a 3-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox on Monday night at Fenway

Lindor smashed a two-run double in the ninth to give the Mets a cushion. José Azocar and Taylor each walked in the inning, before Lindor delivered his second double of the afternoon. Soto’s sacrifice fly gave the Mets a 7-1 lead.

Kodai Senga gives New York a major edge on the moneyline, per our Mets vs. Red Sox predictions for tonight's game.

Kodai Senga strikes out Trevor Story for the second out in the 3rd, his first strikeout during his start against the Red Sox