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LOOKING AHEAD

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DODGERS

Opponent: New York Mets.

Series: Tuesday, 4 p.m.; Wednesday, 4 p.m.; Thursday, 4 p.m. (all times Pacific).

Site: Shea Stadium.

Matchup: Will this be the stage for Mike Piazza-Guillermo Mota III? The players had their second altercation in a year during spring training, resulting in fines and four-game suspensions. Players said there were still hard feelings about the most recent altercation, ignited when Mota hit Piazza on the left shoulder with a pitch. Piazza went into the Dodger clubhouse without permission in pursuit of the right-hander. Piazza, slowed by inflammation in his left knee, and Mota are under the microscope again. The commissioner’s office, which will be watching, has warned the clubs to behave.

Opponent: Montreal Expos.

Series: Friday, 4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. (all times Pacific).

Site: Olympic Stadium.

Matchup: The Expos continue to overcome their circumstances. From Montreal to San Juan, Puerto Rico, they are getting it done with outstanding starting pitching and timely hitting. Even without former staff ace Bartolo Colon, traded to the Chicago White Sox in another baseball-mandated cost-cutting move, the Expos have the major leagues’ second-lowest earned-run average. Manager Frank Robinson has relied on solid right-hander Javier Vazquez. All-Star right fielder Vladimir Guerrero has hit at least 34 home runs with 108 runs batted in the last five seasons, and he’s on pace to make it six in a row.

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