D’Backs and Mets Meet Among Struggling Teams
D'Backs vs Mets Series Preview: Arizona Favored in Opener
The Arizona Diamondbacks visit the New York Mets for a four-game series starting Thursday. The Diamondbacks are coming off a two-game sweep at the hands of the Texas Rangers. The Mets were swept in a three-game series by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Zac Gallen is expected to get the start for the Diamondbacks. The Mets are expected to start Christian Scott. The D’Backs vs Mets series preview shows the Diamondbacks are early -120 favorites with the total at 7-under (-112).
The Diamondbacks are No. 14 in team batting average and don’t hit for much power, but have averaged 4.6 runs per game. That puts them No. 9 among the MLB league leaders, so Arizona has been opportunistic at the plate. There isn’t a whole lot the team does well, but they do score runs.
The pitching staff hasn’t been that good, sitting at No. 21 in team ERA. The bullpen has been average at best and you don’t want them trying to protect a lead. The Diamondbacks have as many blown saves as saves on the year. The starters need to pitch well and go deep into the game.
The Mets are scoring 4.1 runs per game and are No. 23 in team batting average. New York is tied for No. 14 in home runs, so the team has average power. The hitters are going to have to pick it up a notch or it will be a long summer for the Mets.
New York is No. 16 in team ERA. The bullpen hasn’t been bad, although you wouldn’t know it from the recent series with the Dodgers. The Mets are atrocious and need to bounce back in this series.
Diamondbacks vs Mets
Records: Arizona Diamondbacks (25-30), New York Mets (22-33)
Date, Time: Thursday, May 30, 2024, 7:10 PM ET
Location:Â Citi Field, Queens, NY
Stream: MLB Network
Thursday’s Game
The odds might be a little bit cheap on Arizona in the opener, but Gallen hasn’t been dominating. The Diamondbacks are 5-5 when he starts and he has a 3.12 ERA. He has lasted at least six innings in each of his last four starts.
Scott has pitched better than his 0-2 record and New York’s 0-4 record with him on the mound. In those four starts the Mets have scored one run or less three times. It doesn’t matter how well you pitch when you’re not getting any run support.
The MLB predictions today are going to be on Arizona, although it’s more of a slight lean. Scott is due to catch a break at some point soon. If you take the Diamondbacks, you just hope it’s not today.
Friday’s Game
A pair of former Yankees Jordan Montgomery and Luis Severino are scheduled to take the mound in the second game. The D’Backs vs Mets series preview has New York as a small favorite in this one. Montgomery hasn’t pitched badly, although his ERA is 4.36. Still, the Diamondbacks are 6-2 when he starts, which is the main stat baseball bettors are interested in.
Severino has thrown well for the Mets, who are just 3-7 when he starts. New York is 0-4 when he starts on the road and 3-3 with him on the mound at home. His home ERA is just 2.75. With Montgomery pitching better away from home, the under is probably worth a look here.
Saturday’s Game
Blake Walston should get his second start of the season here for Arizona. He pitched 4 and 2/3 innings of shutout ball against Miami, but Arizona lost 3-1. He also has one relief appearance, but there’s not a whole lot to go on.
Sean Manaea should get the start for the Mets and he’s his usual solid self. The Mets are 7-3 in the games he’s started this season, but just 2-3 at home and 5-0 on the road. The Mets could be favored a little more than they should be in this one. Arizona is just 6-14 against left-handed starters, but the average D’Backs score in those games is 5.4-5.0. An over play could be the way to go.
Sunday’s Game
The D’Backs vs Mets series preview has Brandon Pfaadt scheduled to take the mound for the Diamondbacks in the finale. The Diamondbacks are 4-7 when he starts on the season and 2-4 on the road. He started the season a little rough but hasn’t been too bad after his first few games.
The Mets are officially uncommitted right now, but Tylor Megill is in line for the start. He was brilliant in his last start against the Dodgers before the bullpen let him down.
There could be a little bit of value on the under in this one.
