Mets vs Guardians Series Preview: Cleveland Cruising Along

New York Dropping Back in Wild Card Race

The New York Mets (21-25) visit the Cleveland Guardians (30-17) for a three-game series starting Monday. The Mets salvaged the last game in a series against Miami. The Guardians are coming into the game off Minnesota. New York is now 1.5 games out of the final wild card in the National League. Cleveland leads Kansas City by 1.5 games. The Mets vs Guardians series preview sees Tylor Megill and Ben Lively as the scheduled starters Monday. Cleveland is -120. The total is 8-over (-120).

The Mets are scoring 5.45 runs per game on the road compared to 3.29 runs at home, so it’s little surprise they have a better road record. It’s not a whole lot better, however, as New York pitchers allow 5.59 runs on the road compared to 3.71 runs at home. The bullpen isn’t nearly as effective on the road. As a result, the Mets are 8-16 in home totals and 16-6 on the road.

The Mets are No. 14 in team ERA, although much of that has to do with how well they throw at home. A few starters have struggled, so New York isn’t playing as well as they were expected.

The Guardians have been especially tough at home this season. Cleveland is 15-6 with five one-run victories. The Guardians aren’t blowing people out, but are doing enough to win. Cleveland doesn’t hit for average, but are tied for No. 9 in home runs. The Guardians are making the most of their offensive opportunities.

Cleveland is No. 7 in team ERA. The relief pitchers have been pretty solid for the most part and that takes some pressure off the starters. Cleveland’s staff is No. 3 in strikeouts and exceeding expectations.

Mets logo Mets @ Guardians Guardians logo

Date & Time: Sunday, May 20th, 6:10 p.m. ET

Monday’s Game

Megill returns to the mound for the Mets after an injury in his first start of the year. He’s had several rehab starts in the minors leading up to this game and was solid in limited innings. He threw 14 innings in four outings and allowed one run. He struck out 23, so he’s definitely ready. A healthy Megill will help the New York rotation. The MLB trade rumors had the Mets looking for a starter with several players struggling in the early going.

Lively has pitched well for the most part. The Guardians are 3-3 when he starts, although he doesn’t throw a lot of innings. His six starts this year have seen throw between 4 1/3 innings and 6 1/3 innings. The Guardians did win his two home starts this season.

From a handicapping perspective, this isn’t the easiest game. The Mets score more on the road, but Lively has pitched better at home. Megill is a bit of an unknown quantity for this game. He was stellar in the minors, although he’ll be facing tougher hitters here. If the line climbs, there could be some value on New York, but you need at least +120.

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Tuesday’s Game

The Mets vs Guardians series preview shows Adrian Houser and Carlos Carrasco as the scheduled starters here. To say both starters have struggled would be an understatement. Houser has a 7.44 ERA on the season and the Mets are 2-4 when he starts. He does have a couple of decent starts on the year, but several really ugly ones.

The Guardians are 3-6 with Carrasco on the mound and he’s pitching to a 5.16 ERA. Much like Houser, Carrasco has also had some decent starts, but a few pretty brutal ones. Cleveland has scored three runs or less in five of the six games they’ve lost with Carrasco on the mound.

If either pitcher has one of their better starts, that could make it tough for the over. The total should be on the high side in this one due to the numbers of Houser and Carrasco. The over may not be the sure thing it looks to be, since both starters have been so inconsistent. It wouldn’t be a shock to see a 4-3 game in the fifth inning, but you could also look at the MLB live scores and see a 2-2 game in the sixth inning.

Wednesday’s Game

The Mets vs Guardians series preview shows Jose Quintana and Triston McKenzie as the starters for the series finale. New York is 5-4 with Quintana on the mound despite a 5.21 ERA. He’s pitched better at home, although the Mets are 3-2 when he starts on the road. Most of that has to do with the 7.0 runs per game they’re scoring in those contests.

McKenzie has been on his game more often that not this season. The Guardians are 5-1 when he starts at home and 6-3 overall. He’s allowed two earned runs or less in each of his last six starts.

The price might be a little on the high side in this one, but Cleveland has to be the play here. The Guardians hit left-handers well and have the edge on the mound.

Mets vs Guardians Series Preview


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