Mets-Dodgers Preview

Sunday's pitching matchup between the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers might not measure up to the name recognition of the first two games, but Steven Matz and Mike Bolsinger aren't exactly weighing down their respective staffs.

Two of the lesser-known arms on two of the better pitching clubs in the majors square off with the three-game series on the line.

The Dodgers (46-36) evened the series with Saturday's 4-3 win as Zack Greinke got the better of Matt Harvey, which came a night after Noah Syndergaard and Clayton Kershaw deferred to the bullpens.

Los Angeles got a home run from Adrian Gonzalez for a second straight game and third straight at home, while Howie Kendrick added two hits and is batting .455 in his last eight.

Yasiel Puig doubled, but he's 4 for 23 in eight games and hasn't homered in 20. Dating to May 29, 2014, he's hit eight in 571 plate appearances over 135 games, though his manager isn't concerned.

"Home runs are not something I really worry about with him," Don Mattingly told MLB's official website. "I think he's more of a center field, right-center kind of hitter which fits more into his strengths. Him trying to pull home runs doesn't really fit into his strengths. I think they'll happen over time."

The Mets (41-41) got three late runs off the Los Angeles bullpen, but they've scored six in five games while hitting .185. Over a 5-11 span, they're averaging 1.8 runs and batting .183.

Wilmer Flores is 6 for 8 in the series and a .452 hitter in 10 career games against the Dodgers, but many of his teammates remain in funks.

Michael Cuddyer is 2 for 31 in 11 contests, Juan Lagares is 4 for 41 in 13, Ruben Tejada is 4 for 41 in 11 and Lucas Duda is 9 for 60 in 16. Cuddyer has been out of the starting lineup for four games because of a knee injury, though he's appeared off the bench in the last two.

The last time they cracked three runs six games ago, it was because Matz did most of the offensive damage.

Matz (1-0, 2.35 ERA) won his major league debut in last Sunday's 7-2 home victory over Cincinnati. The left-hander gave up two solo homers and three other hits while walking three in 7 2-3 innings, thus far living up to his billing as one of the organization's top prospects.

"He's as advertised," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "You all witnessed it."

The 24-year-old also went 3 for 3 with four RBIs, making him the first pitcher ever with three hits and four RBIs in his debut and only the 11th player of any position.

Bolsinger (4-2, 2.76) has only made it through at least five innings once in his last three starts, though the latest outing wasn't shortened because of his pitching. The right-hander gave up three hits in four scoreless innings of Monday's 10-6 loss in Arizona before leaving with food poisoning.

The 27-year-old didn't walk anyone for the second time this season, but he's walked at least two in his other nine starts. Even with occasional command issues, Bolsinger's ERA has yet to touch 3.00 this year and is providing the Dodgers with strong - if limited - innings to complement Greinke and Kershaw.

Bolsinger faced the Mets once last year with Arizona and gave up two runs, six hits and two walks in three innings of relief. Duda was 2 for 2.

Los Angeles has taken 14 of 18 from the Mets.

New York has gone 5-19 in its last 24 on the road.