The Pittsburgh Pirates will face off against the New York Mets at Citi Field. SportsNet New York will broadcast this NL matchup and the action gets going at 7:10 p.m. ET.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. New York Mets Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Pittsburgh (+110) as the underdog to New York (-120). Bettors can gamble on the games total with odds listed at -105 for over 8 runs and -115 for under 8. Bettors can also wager on the games runline with the current odds standing at Pirates +1.5 runs (-190) and Mets -1.5 runs (+165).
The Mets are just 31-45 straight up (SU) and 32-42 against the spread (ATS). The teams lost 15.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 15.4 units (ATS). New York has covered the spread only twice in its last seven games and the total has gone over in five of those seven. The Pirates are 37-41 SU and have gone 33-44 ATS. Overall, the teams lost 7.8 units for moneyline gamblers and 14.3 units ATS. Pittsburgh has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the under has cashed in four of those seven.
Mets games have had an over/under record of 32-40-2 so far in 2018. The Pirates have an over/under record of 36-35-6.
Chad Kuhl is getting the start for Pittsburgh. The right-handed Kuhl is 5-5 with a 4.56 ERA and 77 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Mets this year and only made one start against them in 2017 (0-1, 10.38 ERA and three strikeouts across four and one-third innings).
The Mets are sending lefty Steven Matz (3-5, 3.68 ERA) to the mound. Matz has 63 strikeouts and 30 walks to his credit, as well as a 1.28 WHIP. Matz did not record a start against the Pirates in 2017.
Pittsburgh’s pitching staff allowed 4.6 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.22 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 7.72 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.22, along with a WHIP of 1.26 and a K-per-9 of 9.56.
The Pirates offense has slashed .247/.321/.401 on its way to 4.4 runs scored per game in 2018, including 3.0 runs per game over the teams last 10 games and 2.4 per game over the teams last five contests (1-4 SU).
Pittsburgh’s hitters have been paced by outfielders Corey Dickerson and Starling Marte. Dickerson is hitting .296/.333/.442 with five home runs, 32 RBIs and 32 runs scored. Marte has a .272 average with nine homers, 34 RBIs, 41 runs and 16 stolen bases.
For the home team, New York’s pitchers have allowed 4.7 runs per game overall in 2018. The clubs starters have an ERA of 4.01, a WHIP of 1.29 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 9.4. The bullpen has a 4.76 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 8.8 K/9.
The New York hitters have put up 4.0 runs per contest, including 5.8 per game over its last 10 games and 4.0 per game over their last five. The teams hit .250/.323/.420 over its last five matchups and is 0-5 SU during that stretch.
Second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera and shortstop Amed Rosario have paced the Mets offense this year. Cabrera is hitting .275/.317/.474 with 13 home runs, 43 RBIs and 35 runs scored, and Rosario’s line is .244/.270/.360 with four homers, 21 RBIs and 28 runs.
The Pirates have lost 4.3 units and are 6-11 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has hit in 11 of those games, compared to six that’ve gone under against left-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Mets have lost 9.7 units and are 21-30 ATS when facing a righty starter. The overs hit in 22 of those games, compared to 27 that went under the total.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. New York Mets MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Mets, ATS Winner – Pirates, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Pittsburgh has tallied six extra-base hits over its last five contests. New York has 16 XBH over its last five.
- Pittsburgh has recorded 17.0 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 14.8 over its last five.
- The Pirates have hit eight home runs in their last 10 games. The Mets have hit 13 over their last 10.
