D’Backs vs Mets Preview: New York Reduced to Playing Spoiler
Arizona Still Clinging to Wild Card Spot
The Arizona Diamondbacks visit the New York Mets for a four-game series that begins Monday. While the Mets are just playing out the string, the series is key for Arizona. The Diamondbacks hold a half-game lead over Miami for the third wild card spot. The D’Backs vs Mets preview notes New York hasn’t officially named a starting pitcher for most of the games in the series.
Zach Davies will get the start for the Diamondbacks on Monday and he hasn’t pitched well. Davies is 2-5 and sports a 6.81 ERA. He’s had some brutal starts this year, but enough decent ones to keep his spot on the team. The Mets will start Jose Quintana, who is 2-5 but has an ERA of 3.00. He hasn’t always gotten a lot of run support and has pitched better than his record. The Mets are -137 and the total is 9-under (-115).
Arizona is a little better than average offensively. The Diamondbacks are No. 14 in team batting average and No. 13 in runs scored. Arizona is No. 21 in team ERA and is 42 of 67 in save opportunities.
The Mets are well below average offensively. New York is No. 25 in team batting average and No. 20 in runs scored. It would be a bit worse if not for Pete Alonso, one of the MLB leaders 2023 in home runs. He’s tied for third in MLB with 43 home runs and tied for second with 103 RBI. Pitching hasn’t been a strong suit for the Mets. New York is No. 21 in team ERA and is 31 of 48 in save opportunities.
Arizona has helped itself by going 37-34 on the road, while the Mets are 35-33 at home.
D’Backs vs Mets 
Date & Time:
Location: Citi Field
Monday’s Game
The Diamondbacks are 7-8 when Davies starts and have allowed 8 or more runs in seven of his 15 starts. Arizona has allowed 4 or fewer runs in seven starts, so it’s been hit or miss with him. He’s a better pitcher than he’s shown and his team needs him now. The Mets are just 2-7 when Quintana starts and 2-7 in totals when he takes the mound. He’s pitched much better than his record indicates. But he’s getting little offensive support. The Diamondbacks are 24-20 against left-handed starters but are 17-26-1 in totals. The best play for your baseball picks could be the under 9 in this one and hope Davies has one of his better starts. The trends are pointing that way.
Tuesday’s Game
The D’Backs vs Mets preview shows Ryne Nelson getting the start for Arizona. He’s gone 7-7 with a 5.30 ERA and the Diamondbacks are 11-14 when Nelson starts, but 8-6 when he starts on the road. Arizona is 4-9-1 in totals on the road and Nelson starting. The Mets could go with Jose Butto, who pitched well last time out in a 3-2 loss to Washington. Butto allowed two runs in 6 1/3 innings. The total could be inflated due to the ERAs of the two starters and this one could be worth a look at the under, as well.
Wednesday’s Game
The D’Backs vs Mets preview has Zac Gallen getting the start for Arizona. He’s 15-7 on the season with an ERA of 3.31. Arizona is 17-13 when he starts, so the Diamondbacks are just 2-6 when he doesn’t get a decision. The Mets haven’t made it official, but Kodai Senga would be up in the rotation. Senga has pitched well, going 10-7 with a 3.07 ERA. The Mets are 15-11 when he starts and 9-17 in totals. Senga could offer a bit of value if Gallen and the Diamondbacks go off as the favorites. The MLB score predictions have New York winning 3.8-3.5.
Thursday’s Game
The series finale shows Merrill Kelly taking the mound for the Diamondbacks. He’s gone 11-6 with a 3.16 ERA and Arizona is 15-11 when he starts and 8-18 in totals. But on the road, the Diamondbacks are 9-4 when he starts, but 7-6 in totals. David Peterson should get the start for the Mets if they stick to their rotation. New York is 6-12 when Peterson starts and 11-6-1 in totals. The price is going to be a little bit on the high side for Arizona in this one. But Kelly and the Diamondbacks look to be the only side you can take here.
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