Time for a gut check

There are some big series on the slate this weekend. One of the best is a three-game set between the Dodgers and Mets, two teams trying to figure out exactly where they stand heading into the final month of the season. The Mets' offense has ironed out its kinks, scoring five or more runs in each of the team's last 11 games. But the bullpen has sputtered through August, with the troubles even extending to closer Billy Wagner. The Dodgers have had their share of issues as well, but they have righted the ship recently, winning six of their last eight games.

Something has to give. The teams met earlier this season with vastly different results. The Dodgers swept the Mets in their first matchup, but the Mets won three of four games the next time around, including a thrilling extra-inning contest to close out the series. New York also dominated in the last meeting that really counted -- last October, when the Mets swept the Dodgers in three straight in the NLDS.

To reach the playoffs this season, both teams must win down the stretch. Now the pressure starts building, and things get a lot more interesting.

DODGERS AT METS: PITCHING MATCHUPS

FRIDAY

Penny Brad Penny (14-3, 2.59) vs. Oliver Perez (11-8, 3.52) The Mets have historically been a troublesome opponent for Dodgers starter Brad Penny, but not in 2007. He may be 5-10 against them for his career (and 1-8 at Shea Stadium), but this season, he's 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA. Oliver Perez had a 14.04 ERA in two starts against the Dodgers in 2006, but in his only appearance against them in 2007, he allowed one run in 7 1/3 innings.

SATURDAY

Hernandez Eric Stults (1-1, 3.91) vs. Orlando Hernandez (8-4, 3.09) Orlando Hernandez is red-hot. He has won his last four decisions and is 4-0 with a 2.92 ERA in his last eight starts, striking out 52 in 52 2/3 innings during that span. He's allowed three hits or fewer in 10 starts this season, two shy of the team record (12) set by Al Leiter in 2004. Eric Stults makes his third start of the season for L.A. He allowed two runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings July 22 against the Mets and got a no-decision in a 5-4 loss.

SUNDAY

Maine David Wells (5-8, 5.54) vs. John Maine (13-7, 3.64) David Wells will make his first start with the Dodgers, his ninth team in a 21-year major league career. Boomer struggled in his last four starts with San Diego, going 0-3 with a 14.33 ERA. New York is trying to get John Maine back on track. In his last four starts, he's 1-2 with an 8.68 ERA.

Over a two-week span, "Baseball Tonight" will be celebrating the top home runs in the history of each current major league team. There will be video tributes, discussions and memorable anecdotes for all 30 squads. The Red Sox were the spotlight team Thursday night. You can catch each home run segment on "Baseball Tonight" and come here the next morning for a recap of the previous day's selections.

BOSTON RED SOX

Oct. 21, 1975: One of the most famous home runs in baseball history is Carlton Fisk's home run off the left-field foul pole to win Game 6 of the World Series. Though the Red Sox lost Game 7 and the series to the Reds, the defining image from this Classic is Fisk waving the ball fair as it hung in the air, then leaping to start a wild celebration.

Oct. 8 and 17, 2004: David Ortiz became Boston's version of Mr. October, becoming the first player to hit two postseason walk-off home runs in the same season. His first gave the Red Sox a sweep in the ALDS against the Angels. His second gave the Red Sox their first of four straight wins in an improbable ALCS comeback against the Yankees.

Oct. 12, 1986: Trailing the Angels three games to one and down to their last strike in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Red Sox were rescued by Dave Henderson, whose home run off Donnie Moore gave the Red Sox the lead. The Angels tied the game, but the Sox won it in extra innings, with Henderson driving in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly. Boston won the next two games handily to advance to the World Series.

Franchise leaders: Ted Williams, 521; Carl Yastrzemski, 452; Jim Rice, 382; Dwight Evans, 379; Manny Ramirez, 253

Single-season leader: David Ortiz, 54 (2006)

Did You Know? The only player to hit three home runs in a two-inning span is Nomar Garciaparra, who hit two in the third inning and one in the fourth inning against the Devil Rays on July 23, 2002.

• Left-hander David Wells, released earlier this month by the Padres, agreed to a contract with the Dodgers. Wells, 44, will get a prorated salary with the Dodgers plus a per-start incentive that is almost identical to the incentive-based deal he had with the Padres. His contract with the Padres called for him to make $176,470 per start from Nos. 11-27. He made 22 starts with San Diego. "This is the right situation, a team on the West Coast that's a playoff contender," said Wells' agent, Gregg Clifton. "He's looking forward to it."

• Orioles first baseman Kevin Millar set a club record by reaching via a hit, walk or hit by pitch in his 50th consecutive game. Millar, who broke the mark set by Ken Singleton in 1977, began his streak on June 20. "The streak has been fun. Hopefully I can keep it going," said Millar after Baltimore's 5-2 loss to Minnesota. "I love streaks, but not getting a win was tough."

• Braves shortstop Edgar Renteria was placed on the 15-day disabled list, one day after being activated. He reinjured his right ankle while checking his swing on the first pitch he saw Wednesday against Cincinnati. Renteria aggravated the sprain that forced him to miss 17 games since Aug. 3. Infielder Martin Prado, who was optioned to Triple-A Richmond on Wednesday but never left Cincinnati, was recalled.

• The Red Sox sent left-hander Jon Lester to Double-A Portland and recalled lefty reliever Javier Lopez from Triple-A Pawtucket. Lester, who underwent chemotherapy treatments for lymphoma during the offseason, is 2-0 with a 5.67 ERA in six starts since Boston called him up from Pawtucket on July 23. Sox manager Terry Francona said Lester will be back with the club next month and start Sept. 2

• The Tigers traded outfielder Craig Monroe and cash to the Cubs for a player to be named. Despite hitting only .222 before Detroit designated him for assignment Aug. 17, Monroe was productive against left-handed pitching. That's how Chicago manager Lou Piniella plans to use him.