Los Angeles @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 21, 2012 ) LA Dodgers 8, NY Mets 5

The New York Mets are on the verge of falling out of the race in the National League. Losses in eight of the last nine games have dropped the Mets back to .500 (47-47) for the first time since May 4. To make matters worse, ace Johan Santana went on the disabled list on Saturday with an ankle injury. Santana is expected to be out until mid-August, putting more pressure on an already thin staff. The Los Angeles Dodgers will be looking to finish off a three-game sweep on Sunday.

The Dodgers have rebounded from a four-game slide to win three in a row, with Matt Kemp continuing to look comfortable at the plate. The All-Star slugger tripled in a run on Saturday and has six RBIs during the winning streak. Los Angeles is actively looking for help at the trading deadline, with a starting pitcher and a third baseman at the top of the wish list as it tries to track down the San Francisco Giants in the NL West. New York could use some pitching help of its own. All-Star R.A. Dickey was forced into the game in relief on Saturday and the staff is allowing an average of 6.3 runs since the break.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, KCAL (Los Angeles), WPIX (New York), TBS

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Nathan Eovaldi (1-6, 4.33 ERA) vs. Mets LH Jon Niese (7-4, 3.58)

Eovaldi has received an average of 1.2 runs of support in his nine starts. The 22-year-old’s lone win came on July 5 - the only time Los Angeles provided him with more than two runs. Eovaldi had one of his worst starts against the Mets on June 30, allowing five runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings to absorb a loss. Ike Davis hit a three-run homer off the right-hander.

Niese, who has surrendered two earned runs or less in four of his last five starts, is coming off an outing at Washington on Tuesday in which he yielded just one run on three hits. The left-hander has struck out 48 and walked seven in his last eight turns. Niese has made two career starts against the Dodgers, going 1-0 with a 4.26 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers C A.J. Ellis (knee) had an MRI come back negative on Saturday. He is expected to play on Sunday.

2. Mets RHP Frank Francisco (oblique) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Sunday and could start a rehab assignment next week.

3. Los Angeles is reportedly unwilling to part with top prospect Zack Lee in a potential trade for Chicago Cubs RHP Ryan Dempster.