Two of the top teams in baseball open a mini two-game series on Tuesday when the New York Mets visit the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.
New York is 45-24 on the season and they are currently the NL East leaders, 5.5 games ahead of the defending champions Atlanta Braves. The Mets are 7-3 in their last 10 games and they are coming off a 6-0 win against the Miami Marlins to take their four-game set 3 games to one.
Houston is 41-25 on the campaign and they are the top team in the AL West Division. The Astros are currently 10 games up on the Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers in the division standings. Houston is just 5-5 in their last 10 games played. The Astros defeated the White Sox 4-3 on Monday to win their series two games to one.
The Mets are one of the most profitable teams in baseball when it comes to Moneyline betting. They are also a solid 39-29 on the run line and have an OVER record of 36-28-4. In their last game played on Monday, New York produced another shut out win, defeating the Miami Marlins 4-0 behind David Peterson’s 5.1 scoreless innings pitched.
On Tuesday, Trevor Williams will open on top of the mound for the Mets. The 30-year-old right-hander from San Diego, California is 1-3 on the season with an ERA of 3.53 and a WHIP of 1.26 in 5 starts and 12 total games pitched. Williams has allowed 14 earned runs on 37 hits in 35.2 innings pitched with 33 strikeouts and 8 walks.
In his last appearance, Williams lasted just 2.1 innings while allowing one earned run on two hits during a 10-2 loss to the Brewers. The Mets are 3-4 in the last seven games where Williams has made an appearance.
After a drop in performance heading to last week, the Houston Astros have won back-to-back series to get back on track. Like the Yankees, they have been solid on the run line but are just 31-35 on the run line this season. On Monday, rookie J.J. Matijevic hit a home run while Mauricio Dubon had a two-run shot to lead the Astros to a 4-3 win over the White Sox.
Jose Urquidy will pitch for Houston to open the series. The 27-year-old right-hander from Sinaloa, Mexico is 5-3 on the season with an ERA of 4.99 and a WHIP of 1.52 in 12 starts. Urquidy has allowed 34 earned runs on 81 hits with 47 strikeouts and 12 walks in a total of 61.1 innings pitched.
Urquidy did not factor in the decision in his last start as he pitched six innings while allowing three earned runs on five hits during a 4-3 win over the Texas Rangers. The Astros are 6-2 in his last eight mound appearances.
The Mets are 4-8 in their last 12 games played against the Astros. New York is also 0-6 SU in their last six road games in Houston.
The Mets are:
The Astros are:
The Houston pitching staff has been throwing well this season but Jose Urquidy looks like one of its weakest links. After three good seasons to begin his MLB career, Urquidy has seen a big jump in contact allowed this season. That should put him in trouble against a Mets lineup that is loaded with star power and depth.
Despite moving back and forth between being a starter and reliever, Williams has turned in solid numbers this season including a 90 FIP- and 16.4% K-BB% If he pitches to his season numbers, the Astros won’t have too many scoring opportunities in this game.
I think Williams will pitch enough solid innings for the Mets’ bats to score runs against the struggling Urquidy.
Prediction: New York Mets
The total has gone under in six out of the last nine games played between the Mets and Yankees. The over is however 5-1 in the last six meetings in Houston.
New York Mets Over/Under Trends:
Houston Astros Over/Under Trends:
Both teams are where they are in the standings right now because of their batting lineup and this game should reflect the kind of offense these teams have. New York has scored 25 runs in their last five games. The Astros have scored at least four runs five times in their last seven games, including three games with 9+ runs scored. These two teams have combined to score an average of 13.0 runs per game in their last three head-to-head meetings.
Houston is in the bottom half in runs scored and batting average but The Mets should help offset that as they are the top team in baseball when it comes to scoring runs and batting average. I have a good feeling that this is going to be a high-scoring game.
Prediction: Over 9
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.