Dodgers

Opponent: Montreal Expos.

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

Site: Olympic Stadium, Montreal.

Matchup: The Expos, who thought they were dead in the water in late July when they traded Cliff Floyd to the Red Sox, have come to life in the wild-card race and trailed the Dodgers by only 6 1/2 games after Friday’s games. They’re doing it without the help of Fernando Tatis, who went 25 at-bats without a hit last week, and instead are relying on the Japanese pitching duo of Masato Yoshii, who threw a complete game Tuesday against St. Louis, and Tomo Ohka, who gave up one run in eight innings in Wednesday’s win over the Cardinals. Second baseman Jose Vidro is hitting .383 with runners in scoring position, best in the National League.

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Opponent: New York Mets.

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

Site: Shea Stadium, New York.

Matchup: The Mets surged to a 15-11 record in July, ending speculation they might trade second baseman Roberto Alomar or third baseman Edgardo Alfonzo and begin to rebuild for 2003, but they won only two of their first eight games in August to slip 6 1/2 games behind the Dodgers in the wild-card race through Friday. Perhaps Thursday’s 9-0 pasting of the Brewers will get the Mets back on track. Catcher Mike Piazza is hitting .283 with 23 homers and 73 RBIs, and Mo Vaughn is batting .257 with 19 homers and 57 RBIs after a sluggish start, when he hit .234 with four homers and 18 RBIs in April and May. Former Dodger right-hander Pedro Astacio is 11-4.