Interleague play comes to the Big Apple on Friday as the Texas Rangers (36-38) will take on the New York Mets (47-29) in the first of a three-game series. The Mets will host this one at Citi Field, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 pm ET.
The Rangers enjoyed a day off on Thursday after they took two of three from the Kansas City Royals to start the week. With that said, they did drop the finale 2-1 on Wednesday. Leody Taveras hit a home run, but the Rangers’ offense could do little else against Zack Greinke.
The Mets had even worse luck to start the week. They dropped a brief, two-game series to the Astros. After dropping the first game nine to one, they were shut out in the second game and gave up two runs.
The Mets are the favorites on Friday playing at home. They are -198 to win while the Rangers’ moneyline sits at +164. The runline features Texas +1.5 (-130), and the over/under for total runs is 8.5.
Rangers Trying To Keep Pace In AL West
At 36-38, the Rangers have the second-best record in the AL West. Unfortunately for Rangers’ fans, they still trail the Astros, who have won eight of their last ten by 11.5 games. Trying to keep pace with Houston, the Rangers will try to take down one of the National League’s best teams.
On the mound for the Rangers for the opener will be 26-year-old righty Glenn Otto. In nine games this season, Otto is 4-3 with a 5.31 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, and has 34 strikeouts in 42.1 innings.
Otto was roughed up a bit in his last start. Against the Nationals, he lasted just two innings, giving up six earned runs on six hits and three walks. He will look to bounce back Friday night.
Offensively, Texas has been led by outfielder Adolis Garcia. In 286 at bats, he leads the team in home runs (15), runs batted in (49), and runs scored (46). He is also hitting .259/.297/.490.
Against the Mets’ Chris Bassitt, Kole Calhoun has had the most success in his career, hitting .333 in 12 at bats. Aside from Calhoun, the Rangers’ offense is just a combined 3 for 45.
Mets Look For Better Luck Against Other Lone Star State Team
The New York Mets have won just two of their last seven games, and the Houston Astros have played a large part. The Astros swept the Mets in two-game series both at home and on the road in the last week. Starting Friday, the Mets will see if they have better luck against the other AL West Lone Star State team, the Texas Rangers.
Taking the ball on Friday for the Mets will be 33-year-old Chris Bassitt. In 15 games, Bassitt is 6-5 with a 4.01 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and has 95 strikeouts in 89.2 innings of work.
Bassitt is coming off of a win in his last start. Against the Marlins, he went seven innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits, and struck out five. In his last three starts, he has given up six runs in 21.1 innings and has struck out a combined 21.
Pete Alonso continues to lead the Mets’ offense. In 275 at bats, he is hitting .280/.359/.560 with a team-leading 22 home runs and 69 runs batted in.
Aside from Alonso, Francisco Lindor (.241 avg., 12 HR, 56 RBI, 45 R), Starling Marte (.279 avg., 7 HR, 36 RBI, 48 R), and Mark Canha (.270 avg., 6 HR, 29 RBI, 33 R) have also had nice seasons thus far.
Take Mets To Win And Cover
While the Mets may have stumbled a bit lately, they are still one of the best teams in baseball. They currently rank fourth in scoring averaging 4.82 runs per game (4.94 at home).
Furthermore, they are 13-4 in their last 17 games at Citi Field and 4-2 in their last six at home versus the Rangers. Also, expect runs to be scored as the over has hit in six of the last nine games these two have played.
Regardless, this seems like a nice bounce-back game for the Mets, especially after having the day off Thursday. While Glenn Otto has a winning record, his 5.31 ERA indicates he will give up runs, which is scary when facing off with one of the best offenses in baseball.
Take the Mets not only to win but don’t be surprised if they cover the -1.5 runline (+108) as well.
