Mets vs Rays odds - Tampa hot, New York not
Interleague play continues with the Mets Rays odds. While their records are almost the same, they’ve certainly taken different paths to reach this point. The Mets are hobbling along, nursing a pile of injuries and struggling to keep pace in the NL East, whereas the Rays are charging hard on their fellow AL East juggernauts. It could be a long weekend for the Mets and their sports betting lines.
Mets Rays odds: Teams are going in opposite directions
- Sonnanstine is utter garbage on the road this season
- Johan Santana isn’t himself right now
- Pelfrey good at home, but Rays bats are hot
Friday, June 19, 7:10 p.m. ET
Andy Sonnanstine (5-6, 6.65) vs Fernando Nieve (1-0, 2.08)
Did I speak too soon about the Mets having a long weekend in MLB betting? Andy Sonnanstine is a lollipop matchup for just about every hitting lineup these days. How’s this for a stat: in his last seven starts, he’s allowed an unbelievable 13 homers. Couple that with his disgusting 8.55 ERA on the road and the Mets Rays odds shift New York’s way.
The Rays’ hitters are hot right now – a trip to Coors Field will do that – but Fernando Nieve survived and won at Yankee Stadium in his last start. Sonnanstine is so terrible right now that the Rays will have to score about nine runs to win.
MLB betting pick: Mets
Saturday, June 20, 4:10 p.m. ET
James Shields (5-5, 3.52) vs Johan Santana (8-4, 3.29)
A key reason for the Mets’ recent struggles; on top of the injury woes, there’s a chink in Johan Santana’s armor. He’s been bombed for a 9.56 ERA and six homers over three June starts. Whether his surgically repaired knee is bothering him or it’s just his location, he’s not himself. Your typical offshore sportsbook still holds Santana in high regard and will likely list the Mets as favorites, so you should pounce on the opportunity to pick Tampa as an “underdog” while Johan is struggling.
James Shields his back to doing what he does best – throwing boatloads of strikes, allowing hits and walking no one. He’ll do enough to get the win on Saturday.
MLB betting pick: Rays
Sunday, June 21, 1:10 p.m. ET
Jeff Niemann (6-4, 4.21) vs Mike Pelfrey (5-2, 4.56)
Former first-round pick Jeff Niemann hasn’t been a showstopper for Tampa, but he enters the Mets vs Rays odds pitching effectively in June (2-0, 3.57) and equally well at home versus on the road. His sample size is small to base your picks on, but we at least know he’s faced plenty of tough lineups, including the Red Sox, Yankees and Rockies (at Coors), so the depleted Mets, still missing Carlos Delgado and Jose Reyes, shouldn’t scare him.
Mike Pelfrey’s numbers don’t look sexy, but he’s quietly been very serviceable of late, allowing three or fewer runs in nine of his last 10 starts. He never dominates but he always pitches well at home. Based on trends, it’s hard to bet against the Mets. It’s a borderline coin flip but the Rays should offer slight underdog value, and they have a good chance to overcome Pelfrey’s track record given how well they’re swinging the bats right now. Watch out for Evan Longoria, who is heating up again.
MLB betting pick: Rays
For online betting advice and Mets Rays odds, visit the Betting Edge at BetOnline.com.
Before his arm flamed out, Dale “Skip” Lalonde was famous for his high-90s heat and power at the plate. He retired young but never turned his back on baseball, earning the nickname “Skip” for his high-school coaching prowess. A true student of the game, he loves crunching the numbers when he handicaps baseball. Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
