Mets vs. Dodgers, July 16: Max Scherzer starts at 5:30 p.m.

Mets RHP Max Scherzer starts as New York aims to avoid a sweep in Sunday's 5:30 p.m. game on PIX11 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Mets Notes

- New York moved the start time from the original 1:40 p.m. because of rain in the area and looks to salvage the series after Saturday's 5-1 loss. It was initially moved to 5:10 p.m., then bumped back another 20 minutes. The Mets have lost four in a row dating back to July 8, before the All-Star break, and aim to avoid their fifth sweep of the season. The Dodgers last swept New York Aug. 13-15, 2021, at Citi Field.

- Since 2015, the Mets are 270-238 in the second half of seasons -- excluding the shortened 2020 campaign, which did not have halves. New York's only losing second-half years were 2017 and '21. The Mets .532 winning percentage in this span is the fourth-best NL mark behind the Dodgers (.627), St. Louis Cardinals (.596) and Chicago Cubs (.576).

- New York is 27-5 this season when its starting pitcher throws at least six innings. Further, the Mets are 11-1 when the starter goes seven innings or more.

Who is starting for the Mets?

Scherzer, who is 8-3 with a 4.31 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 16 starts this season.

He allowed five runs on six hits (two homers) in five innings of his latest start, last Sunday's 6-2 loss at the San Diego Padres.

Who is starting for the Dodgers?

RHP Bobby Miller, who is 5-1 with a 4.50 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in eight starts this season.

He allowed four runs on five hits (two homers) while striking out seven and walking one in 5 2/3 innings July 5, his latest start, a 6-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Upcoming schedule

The Mets have Monday off before returning to Citi Field for Tuesday's 7:10 p.m. opener against the Chicago White Sox, the start of a three-game series, on SNY.

RHPs Carlos Carrasco (3-3, 5.16 ERA) and Lucas Giolito (6-5, 3.45 ERA) are set to start.