Continuing their West Coast road swing, the New York Mets make a stop in San Diego for a three-game slate with the San Diego Padres starting Monday night. This series, which will be contested at Petco Park, marks the first time that these clubs have crossed paths this season.
In their last three games, the Padres (33-21) outscored Milwaukee 17-4, including a win in extra innings Sunday. Jake Cronenworth belted a three-run shot in the top of the 10th frame, which was instrumental in extending a surge that follows a four-game skid, their longest so far this year.
It also took New York (37-19) more than nine innings to go home winners Sunday, as they downed the Los Angeles Dodgers by a 5-4 final. The Mets, who lead Atlanta by 8.5 games in their division, are the winningest team in the National League right now.
That fact comes as no surprise, being that New York grades at or near the top of the majors in total runs, team RBIs, and batting average. Along with Boston and Colorado, they are one of three teams to be hitting above .260 as a group to this point.
In their last seven games – the Mets won five of them – five batters with at least 11 plate appearances have an average of .300 or better. With a .429 mark in his last 14 at-bats, backstop Tomas Nido paced the offense during that span.
Mets at Padres Odds
MLB odds have the Mets favored to take the first game of this bill. New York is -1.5 on the run line at +150, while the Padres are -182 to cover the spread.
On the moneyline, the Mets are -110 and San Diego -106. The total has been set at 7.5 runs, with the over being -105 and the under -115 at the time of this writing.
Taking a glance at MLB betting trends, San Diego’s lumber hasn’t been as effective as their guests’. The Padres rank in the bottom third of the MLB with a .233 batting average.
Third baseman Manny Machado is the lineup’s linchpin, as he tops the order in every major statistical category, including runs driven in (32) and on-base percentage (.409).
First baseman Eric Hosmer has played a large role, as well, hitting .296 with 25 RBIs.
Both have been most comfortable taking their cuts in front of a home crowd. Machado has a team-high nine home runs, five of which were in San Diego.
Matchup Information
Mets at Padres Betting Preview
On the bump for the home team will be southpaw Blake Snell, the owner of a 4.80 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. San Diego fell short in each of his three starts in the month of May. Most recently, he went six frames at St. Louis, allowing a mere two hits and two earned runs in a no-decision.
In the two outings prior to that, he was tagged with a loss.
Working against him will be right-hander Carlos Carrasco. The 35-year-old has jumped out to a 6-1 record on the mound and is on a bit of a roll, having won his last three starts.
Last time out, against Washington, he turned in five innings of work, striking out five challengers and keeping the Nationals from plating a run. The Mets have left the ballpark happy in five of his last six appearances.
Mets at Padres Picks and Predictions
Both of these teams have proven to be realistic contenders in the NL. With the success the Mets have been enjoying – they’ve notched eight victories in ten tries – it’s not hard to see them starting this series out on the right foot.
With these MLB picks today, the hot bats and solid pitching from the savvy vet Carrasco will propel New York to its third consecutive triumph.
Go with the Mets to cover the spread while betting on baseball tonight.
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