With injuries taking a toll on the Dodgers' starting rotation, Jack Dreyer and Landon Knack struggle early in a 9-5 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

As Mets fans stress over Juan Soto’s struggles, the Dodgers navigate past a four-game skid like a team for whom the regular season is essentially a warmup.

For the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday night's game represents a rematch of last season's National League Championship Series, which the Dodgers won in six games.

Jim Alexander: It is amazing, isn’t it? The Dodgers are 31-19, the third-best team in baseball right now (Detroit is 33-17 and Philadelphia 31-18 as of Thursday afternoon), and they’re leading the rugged National League West by two games with … what, 40% of their starting rotation healthy and functional? Or is my math off slightly?

DP_Arizona 0, Los Angeles 1. LOB_Arizona 7, Los Angeles 3. HR_Marte (7), T.Hernández (10). Umpires_Home, Chad Whitson; First, Chris Guccione; Second, David Rackley; Third, Edwin Moscoso.

The Diamondbacks got a tape-measure home run from Ketel Marte and Corbin Burnes pitched seven strong innings, but still lost to the Dodgers.

The 24-year-old rookie catcher, who has started three times in seven games since being called up last week, has had no trouble acclimating as Will Smith’s new backup.

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