Mets vs Astros Series Preview: Division Leaders Clash

First of Two, Two-Game Sets Before End of June

Two of MLB’s division leaders will tangle twice in Texas and then two more times in New York, in an interesting stretch of the MLB schedule. We’ll give you some vital information in this Mets vs Astros series preview.

The last time the Houston Astros played host to the New York Mets they were in the stretch run of the 2017 regular season, a little over a month away from being crowned world champs. Five years later, the Astros continue to have thoughts of postseason glory, but so too do the Mets, who were on their way to a 92-loss campaign in the last MLB matchup.

New York vs Houston Game

  • Game: Mets (45-24) at Astros (41-25)
  • Location: Minute Maid Park
  • Day/Time: Tuesday, 8:10 p.m. ET
  • Television: SNY, ATSW

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Mets vs Astros Probable Starting Pitchers

  • Tuesday: Trevor Williams (Mets) vs Jose Urquidy (Astros)
  • Wednesday: Carlos Carrasco (Mets) vs Luis Garcia (Astros)

Mets Holding Steady Atop NL East

The New York Mets saw a 10½-game lead reduced to four games earlier this month when second-place Atlanta went on a torrid streak. The front-runners kept plodding along at a pretty good clip before the Braves finally came down from the clouds, and the lead is back up to 5½ games.

The Mets capped a series win over the Miami Marlins on Monday with a combination of solid pitching and a balanced attack that did its usual thing by jumping on the Marlins right away. After scoring once in the first inning Monday, New York had produced a run in the opening frame for the 19th time in its 34 home games.

It was academic after that, as David Peterson and three relievers combined on a seven-hit shutout. Of concern, however, is a hamstring MLB injury sustained by the second baseman Jeff McNeil, although the initial thought is that it will just be a day-to-day issue.

Sometimes starter Trevor Williams will get his sixth opening assignment for New York. He has managed to get through five innings just twice on the year, something to consider when looking at New York Met’s odds for the opener.

Astros Rested After Another Series Win

The Houston Astros took two of three from the Chicago White Sox, capped by Sunday’s 4-3 win, before a day off at home. That’s their fourth off-day this month alone and they get another next week in what amounts to a pretty relaxing stretch. Perhaps that plays into your mindset if you’re thinking of dropping a big bet on Houston Astros after looking at this Mets vs Astros series preview.

The betting odds would be a no-brainer if Houston gets more contributions from guys like utility man Mauricio Dubon and rookie J.J. Matijevic, both of whom homered in Sunday’s 4-3 win.

“That was real cool,” manager Dusty Baker said of Matijevic’s hit, which was also his first career hit.

Matijevic was in because slugger Yordan Alvarez hurt his hand Saturday, although this one looks like a day-to-day situation as well and he could return against New York.

Who’s Hot

  • Luis Guillorme, Mets IF: Hit safely in seven of last eight to raise average to .331.
  • J.D. Davis, Mets LF: Batting .294 with 10 runs scored in 17 June games.
  • Michael Brantley, Astros DH: Batting .389 in June.
  • Ryne Stanek, Astros RP: No runs allowed in his last 17 IP.

Who’s Not

  • Pete Alonso, Mets 1B: 3-for-21 over his last six games.
  • Brandon Nimmo, Mets CF: Three hits Monday but batting just .214 with a .313 OBP in June.
  • Alex Bregman, Astros 3B: Hit safely in three straight but batting .193 in June.
  • Jose Altuve, Astros 2B: 5-for-22 with zero RBI and eight strikeouts over his last six games.

Injury Updates

  • Davis joined McNeill on the sidelines Monday after getting hit on the left pinkie by a pitch.
  • Mets RHP Max Scherzer (oblique) will throw a rehab start at Double-A Binghamton on Tuesday.
  • Alvarez is considered day-to-day and Baker isn’t indicating yet when he might return.
  • Astros SS Aledmys Diaz (shoulder) left Saturday’s game and is expected back soon.

Mets vs Astros Series Preview Betting Tips

The Mets have lost just three series all season, but two of them did take place on the road and they’ll be playing their eighth and ninth games in as many days against a rested Houston club. Add in some uncertainty with MLB players McNeil and Davis and New York will be forced to gut its way through this quick set.

Only four teams (the Mets are one of them) have a better home winning percentage than the Astros, who have won 17 of their last 24 at Minute Maid. Look at this Mets vs Astros series preview and consider that run of home dominance when making picks over the next two days.


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