Los Angeles @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 23, 2013 ) LA Dodgers 7, NY Mets 2

The second game of a three-game series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets at Citi Field on Wednesday presents an interesting pitching matchup. One one end the Dodgers simply want veteran Ted Lilly to provide something for their injury-riddled rotation as he makes his first start since last May. Meanwhile, the Mets are hoping that young right-hander Matt Harvey can continue to dominate opponents the way he has through his first four starts.

While New York may have a significant advantage on the mound, Los Angeles has the momentum after Tuesday's 7-2 win in the opener. Mark Ellis was 4-for-5 with two homers, including a tiebreaking three-run homer in the seventh, to spark the Dodgers to their second straight victory after a six-game skid. The Mets lost starter Jonathon Niese to a right leg contusion in the third inning and saw their bullpen give up six runs in 6 2/3 innings. New York's relief corps now owns a 5.46 ERA.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ESPN, KCAL (Los Angeles), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Ted Lilly (NR) vs. Mets RH Matt Harvey (4-0, 0.93)

Like Harvey, Lilly knows a little about starting strong. He also knows how quickly it can all fall apart. He was 5-0 with a 1.79 ERA through his first seven starts in 2012 before one miserable outing in Arizona preceded a left shoulder injury that eventually required surgery and ended his season. Regardless of his effectiveness, Lilly's return is timely. The Dodgers already have three other starting pitchers on the disabled list and announced Tuesday that Chad Billingsley would undergo season-ending Tommy John elbow surgery. The 37-year-old Lilly was 0-2 with a 6.55 ERA in two rehab starts with High-A Rancho Cucamonga.

The accolades for Harvey continue to build. He is the first pitcher since Tim Hudson in 2007 to open a season with four straight starts with at least seven innings and no more than one run allowed. In a marquee matchup with Washington's Stephen Strasburg last Friday, Harvey yielded a run on four hits in seven innings while striking out seven, prompting "Harvey's better!" chants from Mets fans. The 24-year-old has yet to face the Dodgers, but he has allowed only six earned runs in 38 innings in his young career at Citi Field.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York has scored four runs on eight hits (seven singles) in its last two games.

2. The Dodgers have won the last five meetings, four of which have taken place at Citi Field.

3. Mets OF Marlon Byrd is 8-for-17 with a home run, a double and eight RBIs in his career against Lilly.

PREDICTION: Mets 5, Dodgers 2