Los Angeles @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 1, 2012 ) NY Mets 3, LA Dodgers 8

The New York Mets finally snapped a six-game winning streak on Thursday afternoon. Now, they return home to face a Los Angeles team that also has been slumping in July. The Dodgers had dropped seven of nine before topping Philadelphia on a 12th-inning walk-off homer by Matt Kemp on Wednesday. Kemp’s recent return from injury was a much-needed lift for an offense that ranks 27th in the majors in runs scored.

That anemic Los Angeles lineup will have its work cut out for it Friday. New York starter Johan Santana has won all five of his career starts against the Dodgers, posting a microscopic 0.50 ERA in those games. Both teams are getting solid starting pitching this season, though the Mets have had major bullpen trouble — the relief corps has blown 16 of 38 save opportunities, one of the worst rates in baseball. Los Angeles, meanwhile, leads the majors in quality starts and is second in team ERA (3.28).

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Aaron Harang (6-5, 3.53 ERA) vs. Mets LH Johan Santana (6-6, 3.59)

Harang has allowed more than three earned runs in just one of his last nine starts. The Mets are the lone blip in that hot streak, tagging him for five runs (four earned) on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings en route to a 9-0 win on June 29. Harang has recovered with two seven-inning efforts, but he allowed three home runs in those games.

One of the feel-good stories of the first half, Santana has struggled mightily in hist last two starts, giving up 13 runs on 21 hits in just 9 2/3 innings. His last win came against the Dodgers on June 30, when he yielded just three hits in eight shutout frames. Santana has been far less effective on the road, going 2-4 with a 5.36 ERA in nine away starts this year.

WALK-OFFS

1. Los Angeles hitters are batting just .150 (29-for-193) against Santana. INF Jerry Hairston Jr. has had a miserable time against the left-hander, still looking for his first hit after 18 fruitless at-bats.

2. Harang is just 3-4 with a 6.09 ERA in his nine lifetime starts against the Mets. New York 3B David Wright is 11-for-20 with four doubles and six RBIs against him, while OF Jason Bay is batting .327 with five homers.

3. The Dodgers have dropped seven of their last eight road games and have lost 19 of their last 26 overall.