The New York Mets have won four of seven the past week, taking two of three from Philadelphia last weekend and splitting a four-game set with Atlanta during the week. Now the Mets head down I-95 to face the Phillies on the road. The Phillies had Monday off before getting swept at home by Texas in a two-game set. The series opens on Thursday night in Philadelphia; on Friday night, Max Scherzer and Kyle Gibson will be the starting pitchers, and we have your MLB betting preview of this NL East matchup.
MLB Preview: N.Y. Mets at Philadelphia Phillies
(Friday, May 6)
When: Friday, May 6, 2022, 7:05 pm ET
Where: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia
TV: No National Broadcast
Radio: WCBS 880 AM New York City / WIP 94.1 FM Philadelphia
Live Stream: Sling TV
MLB Odds: New York Mets +130 / Philadelphia Phillies -155
Projected Pitching Matchup: Max Scherzer (4-0, 2.61 ERA) (NY) vs Kyle Gibson (2-1, 2.93 ERA) (PHI)
Why should you bet on the Mets?
Three of Max Scherzer’s five starts have been dominant this season, with 19 combined innings against Philadelphia, San Francisco and St. Louis in which he only permitted two earned runs on eight hits combined. He struck out 27 batters in that stretch while walking just seven. In his last start, against Philadelphia again, Scherzer permitted three home runs among five hits, giving up four earned runs. He struck out nine while walking just one, but he just found too much of the plate too many times. Given Scherzer’s track record, he should be able to find his ace stuff before he sees the Phillies again, but just bear those home runs in mind.
In the Mets’ 9-2 loss to Atlanta on Wednesday, the key inning was the sixth, when the Braves scored seven runs – including getting a walk with the bases loaded. Luis Guillorme did get a home run in the ninth inning for the Mets, but the solo shot was just window dressing by that point. The Mets got solid pitching from Tylor Megill through five innings, but that sixth was their undoing. If Scherzer can keep matters in hand, then the Mets should be able to control the game, as Atlanta had just a .212 batting average as a team when runners were in scoring position going into Wednesday’s game.
Why should you put your money on the Phillies?
Durability has been an issue for Kyle Gibson this year, as he has only made it past 90 pitches twice in his five starts. His last start, on Saturday against the Mets in New York, was dominant while he was on the mound, as he permitted just one unearned run on two hits, but he only lasted 4 ⅓ innings, walking five. The bullpen and the offense bailed him out as the Phillies won, 4-1, but given the struggles the Phillies have faced this week, Gibson needs to get better control and finish at least five or six innings.
The Phillies just dropped a pair at home against Texas, with Wednesday’s loss coming in 2-1 fashion in ten innings. The game actually was scoreless going into extra innings. Nick Castellanos had three hits, including a double, for Philadelphia. Both of the ghost runners scored in the tenth inning, but Texas got two runs for the win. The Phillies have now dropped four in a row and face Washington’s ace on Friday night.
Final Score and Prediction
The Phillies are a team built for offense, and their stadium has short fences, so if Scherzer can’t keep the ball out of the middle of the plate, then the hosts could bludgeon their way to a win. The way the Mets have been playing, though, they should win behind Max. I predict a final score of New York 5, Philadelphia 3.
MLB Betting Odds
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