Mets vs. Phillies Saturday Prediction
The ESPN Sunday Night Baseball crew heads to Willamsport, PA and BB&T Ballpark for a matchup between National League East rivals as the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets wrap up their weekend series. After the last two games fell under the total, will the Mets and Phillies have one more offensive shootout like they did in the first two games of the set?
Game Snapshot & Odds
913 New York Mets (+165) at 914 Philadelphia Phillies (-195); 9 runs
Sunday, August 19, 2018
7:10 p.m. ET, BB&T Ballpark
TV: ESPN
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Phillies as a -195 favorite. As of this writing, 75% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Phillies to beat the Mets on the moneyline. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Mets’ Vargas pitches six innings in no-decision vs. Orioles
Jason Vargas limited the Orioles to two runs over six innings Tuesday in a no-decision. Amazingly, it was the first time all season that Vargas has thrown a pitch in the sixth inning. It wasn’t pretty, as he struck out just one and walked three, but he was able to keep the O’s mostly at bay in his first quality start of 2018. Fantasy owners should avoid Vargas on Sunday in Philadelphia.
Phillies’ Pivetta excellent versus Red Sox
Nick Pivetta fanned six while holding the Red Sox to one run over six frames but settled for a no-decision Tuesday. Sandy Leon took Pivetta deep with a solo home run in the third inning, but that was one of only three hits the right-hander gave up and he also issued just one walk. Pivetta had thrown only 84 pitches over his six frames, but with the game tied and his spot up in the bottom of the sixth, he was pinch-hit for. The righty had a terrible July but has rebounded with three straight superb outings in August.
MLB Betting Trends
New York
The Mets are just 2-12 in Vargas’ last 14 starts and are winless in his last four road outings.
Philadelphia
The Phillies have won seven of Pivetta’s last 10 starts coming off four days of rest but are 2-5 in his last seven outings at home.
Prediction:
The under has cashed in nine of the last 12 meetings between these two teams, including in each of the last two games. That said, I like the over in this spot. First and foremost, the over is 7-3-1 in Pivetta’s last 11 starts and 4-1-1 in his last six outings when he faces a team with a losing record. The over is also 18-6-2 in Chris Guccione’s 26 games behind home plate. I believe the Little League World Series kids will see plenty of offensive fireworks tonight from these two teams.
The Pick: Mets/Phillies over 9