Mets vs Phillies Odds - Mets will continue Phillies' slump at home this weekend
The MLB betting odds for this week’s showdown series between National League East leaders Philadelphia and the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park should be relatively close, given the Phillies’ inexplicably bad record at home. The Mets can catch up to Philadelphia in the East with a good weekend, so look for that to motivate them.
Baseball lines: Mets aim to steal at least two at Citizens Bank Park
- Lopez makes big-league return against solid Hernandez
- Moyer, Nieve could give up a lot of runs
- Santana tries to get back on track against Blanton
Friday, July 3, 7:05 PM ET
Livan Hernandez (5-3, 4.04) vs Rodrigo Lopez (0-0, 0.00)
Hernandez is 0-2 in his last four starts, but he has pitched pretty well, allowing three runs or less in three of those four outings. The 34-year-old righthander is 10-8 in 24 career starts against the Phillies with a 3.36 ERA, although he has a 5.25 ERA in five trips to Citizens Bank Park. He’ll be facing a pitcher who hasn’t thrown in the majors since 2007, when he had Tommy John surgery. The 33-year-old righthander has a 65-65 record in the big leagues with three teams in a seven-year career, and he could very well be pitching for a spot in the rotation due to a shoulder injury to Antonio Bastardo. Still, this is a big stage to be making your return to the majors on, so sportsbooks should make the Mets a favorite on the road.
MLB betting pick: Mets
Saturday, July 4, 4:05 PM ET
Fernando Nieve (3-1, 2.25) vs Jamie Moyer (6-6, 6.05)
Nieve had his worst outing since being put in the Mets’ rotation in a 10-6 loss at Minnesota, and he’s going up against a team that had his number as a relief pitcher. The 26-year-old righthander is 0-1 in five relief appearances against the Phillies, allowing five runs in only 1.1 innings of work. The Phillies will go with the inconsistent Moyer, who is 0-1 in three starts against the Mets this season with a 9.84 ERA. New York had taken Moyer deep five times in 2009, which is alarming as he’s given up five home runs in his last three starts, including three in a 5-4 victory over Toronto. This could be a high-scoring affair as both pitchers are having their problems, so go with the over when you’re betting online. Moyer’s experience gets him the slight nod.
MLB betting pick: Phillies
Sunday, July 5, 1:35 PM ET
Johan Santana (9-6, 3.34) vs Joe Blanton (4-4, 5.08)
Santana has lost three of his last four starts, and one has to wonder if he’s hurt, because we’re not used to seeing “Johan the Great” giving up five or six runs in an outing. He somehow earned a win in a 6-5 victory over the Phillies at home while allowing five runs on eight hits, including four dingers. Blanton is 0-1 in his last five starts, but he’s allowed three runs or less in four of those five games. The 28-year-old righthander is a tidy 1-0 in three starts against the Mets in his career, posting a solid 2.14 ERA. Santana would love to give a better account of himself than he did when the two teams met in New York City, and Blanton, like the rest of his team, isn’t that good at home, which is disheartening to Phillies fans making their sports betting picks.
MLB betting pick: Mets
For more MLB lines and odds, visit the offshore sportsbook 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.
