6:45PM ET NY Mets (-115) vs WAS Nationals (-105)
David Peterson vs MacKenzie Gore
With the Mets aiming to bounce back after a tough series against the Houston Astros and the Nationals struggling to find their footing, each team sends out a lefty tonight to right the ship. Let’s break it down and find a best bet!
On The Bump
David Peterson has had a limited number of starts this season, with a history that can be described as just okay. However, tonight he faces a Nationals lineup that has been struggling offensively. Their shutout loss to the Rays yesterday underscores their current woes at the plate, which could play into Peterson’s favor. Peterson may also benefit from the fact that the Nationals lineup is bottom 3 in the league vs left-handed pitching.
On the mound for the Nationals is Mackenzie Gore, who has been impressive this season. However, his reliance on the fastball (thrown over 50% of the time) might be a double-edged sword tonight. The Mets have been particularly adept at hitting left-handed pitchers and crushing fastballs, ranking third and first in OPS in these categories, respectively. This matchup could neutralize Gore’s effectiveness and tilt the advantage towards New York.
Situational Advantages
The Mets’ offense is built to exploit pitchers like Gore. Their ability to hit fastballs and lefties well puts them in a strong position to generate runs tonight. Even if Gore manages to hold his own initially, the Mets have depth and versatility in their lineup to get to the Nats bullpen as well. Despite dropping 2 of 3 to the Astros, New York remains one of the hottest teams in baseball coming into this series.
Best Bet
Considering the factors at play, the best bet for tonight’s game is the Mets money line at -115. The combination of Peterson facing a slumping Nationals lineup, the Mets' proficiency against left-handed pitchers and fastballs, and the overall motivation to rebound after recent losses all point towards a New York victory.
PICK: METS ML (-115)
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