After a disappointing start to the week, the Los Angeles Dodgers hope to get back on track against the New York Mets, who currently boast the National League’s best record while leading the East division by a whopping 10-1/2 games over the defending World Champion Braves.

The Dodgers and Mets aren’t far apart in the win-loss columns, as both teams have 17 losses on the year. In their most recent series against the Pirates, the Dodgers were flat on all sides of the ball, as both the offense and pitching were far from being characteristic of a playoff-contending club. The Pirates ended up sweeping the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium for the first time in 22 years.

New York and Los Angeles will square off in a four-game series beginning on Thursday, with the Dodgers hoping to regain the senior circuit’s best record while padding their lead atop the NL West.

Last year, the Dodgers took care of the Mets with ease, defeating them in six of seven contests. However, the Mets are currently in good form after having swept the Nationals earlier this week.

There are a lot of things to watch for in the series, specifically as Trea Turner tries to extend his MLB-leading 24-game hitting streak. Despite Turner’s success, Mookie Betts continues to shine in the spotlight. Since May 9, Mookie is hitting .351/.430/.798 with a team-leading 11 homers and a 2.4 WAR.

Betts led the majors with 12 homers in the month of May and is best on the Dodgers this year with 16 homers, 51 runs scored and a 1.008 OPS.

Although the pitching staff wasn’t quite stellar against Pittsburgh, the Dodgers still maintain the second-best staff in the majors behind the Yankees, if you give team ERA any credence. The Mets currently have the 10th-best ERA in the majors at 3.63.

Offensively, both teams are much more evenly matched, as the Dodgers still lead the majors with 274 runs scored, while the Mets boast the league’s best team batting average at .268.

Tony Gonsolin, who leads the rotation with a 1.80 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP over nine starts, will get the ball in Thursday’s opener and oppose Taijuan Walker, who carries a 2.83 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP in seven starts.

Among the early moves on Thursday were the Dodgers optioning righty pitcher Michael Grove back to the minors after recalling lefty reliever Caleb Ferguson.

Super-utilityman Zach McKinstry is also expected to join the team when Kevin Pillar goes on the injured list later on Thursday.

First pitch for the opener is set for 7:10 p.m. Pacific time.