Things looked bleak for those banking on the Dodgers to win this series in the middle of Game 2, but Los Angeles got back on track and stole the second game of the series. While the ending to Game 2 was disappointing for the Mets, they still return home having split the first two games, that’s not a bad place to be.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Of the remaining teams in the National League, home field is arguably more important for the Mets than anyone else. That, however, comes because their starters generally have been far better at home than on the road.
Despite that, both deGrom and Syndergaard pitched well in their starts and forced a split of the first two games. Still, at home, the Mets are 49-32 this year and given the team’s futility over the last several seasons, Citi Field will be loud, giving them even more of a spark.
Matt Harvey and the Mets currently check in as lofty -190 home chalk with the total set at 6.5.
PITCHING MATCHUP
The vaunted duo of Kershaw and Greinke are behind the Mets—at least for Game 3—so the Dodgers will turn to southpaw Brett Anderson on Monday.
Anderson was signed as a free agent in the offseason because of his stuff, but most were skeptical of the contract as prior to this year, the 27-year old hadn’t lasted more than 45 innings since 2011 and hadn’t pitched over 100 since 2010.
Despite the injury concerns, Anderson stayed relatively healthy, pitching 180 1/3 innings. While a good thing for the Dodgers, that does lend to questions about whether his arm will hold up throughout the post season. We’ll get our first look on Monday.
During the season, Anderson went 10-9 with a 3.69 ERA and a slightly inflated 1.331 WHIP in 31 starts.
Anderson’s last start was very good, holding the Giants to two runs and four hits over seven and two-thirds innings. That’s a great sign considering his previous two starts led to 11 runs in eight and two-thirds innings.
The Mets have their own youngster with arm questions on the mound in 26-year old Matt Harvey.
Harvey had a very good year in his return from Tommy John Surgery, but the Mets’ last month was occupied with conversations about his availability and innings total.
In 189 1/3 innings, Harvey went 13-8 with a 2.71 ERA and 1.019 WHIP. Over his last three games, Harvey has overcome the whispers, pitching 17 2/3 innings, allowing just two earned runs and striking out 24 in that time.
QUOTE TO NOTE
There’s still uncertainty around just how much the Mets can get from Harvey. Manager Terry Collins tried to downplay it and it sounds like Harvey won’t be limited in individual games. Collins said:
“We would have liked to have pitched him in Game 1 except we are limited to the amount of games he could pitch—not necessarily how much in those games.”
LIVE/SITUATIONAL BETTING
deGrom shutdown the Dodgers in Game 1 and Syndergaard did his job in Game 2, but the Dodgers’ bats broke out in the seventh inning on Saturday after Adrian Gonzalez slammed a big double after six strikeouts in the series leading up to the at bat.
Gonzalez is the key to this lineup. The veteran first baseman is the team’s best run producer and helps the rest of the lineup come together.
Offensively, both the Mets and the Dodgers have depth and quality on their rosters. The Dodgers have more pop on the year, but the Mets were the team that put up the runs in the second half.
New York, however, will have to deal with Ruben Tejada’s broken leg after the shortstop was carted off the field following a questionable slide from Chase Utley that consequently got him suspended for the next two games. The Mets have Wilmer Flores to play short, but he’s a downgrade defensively.
PROP TALK
Excluding a single at bat by Kelly Johnson, only two other Mets have had at bats against Anderson in their careers: Michael Cuddyer and Curtis Granderson. For the two, they’ve had very different experiences. Cuddyer has just one hit in 12 at bats, striking out five times. Granderson, meanwhile, is 5-for-12 in his career with a home run and four RBIs.
For the Dodgers, a pair of former Phillies have had the most at bats and moderate success against Harvey. Chase Utley is 6-for-18 with a homer and Jimmy Rollins is 5-for-19 with two home runs. This year, Harvey faced Los Angeles twice, allowing five runs in 12 innings. He struggled against them at Dodgers’ Stadium, but pitched well at Citi Field.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Both pitchers have great stuff and both also have innings concerns given their last couple years in terms of injuries and innings pitched.
Harvey looked good in his last few games, though his innings were limited. Anderson can seemingly go deeper, but he’s not pitched that well this last month. I don’t expect either pitcher to go deep in this game, leaving it up to the bullpen. The middle of the pen is a weak spot for both teams.
The Dodgers’ bats have woken up, but Game 3 is in New York and the Mets have a good offense, even without Tejada available. I’ve got the Mets feeding off the crowd and snagging the series lead.
New York 6, Los Angeles 3
The MLB odds for this game will be available first at BookMaker Sportsbook. Gamble on the game between every half inning with BookMaker’s live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen in the next at-bat or how many runs will be scored in the next inning. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! First pitch for the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets is scheduled for Monday, October 12, 2015, at 8:37 p.m. ET at Citi Field. The contest will be broadcast nationally on TBS.
