ODDS ANALYSIS
If things aren’t bad enough for the Mets already, they head out on the road, where they have the second-worst record in baseball, for a stretch of games against the NL West. Their offensive struggles continued with a 6-1 loss to the Cubs on Thursday, getting swept in that series scoring just once.
Runs have been at a premium for the New Yorkers, who have scored better than two in a game twice over the last 14 while going 4-10 in that span. The under is 11-3 in those games. The Mets cashed the under in each of Matt Harvey’s last three outings and in four of his last five starts.
The Dodgers look to get well against a struggling Mets offense by trotting their ace Zack Greinke to the hill. Greinke has impressive numbers but hasn’t received much run support with the Dodgers scoring just six runs over his last five starts. The Dodgers cashed the under in each of those and the under is 7-1 in his last eight starts. LA owns one of the best home records in baseball and with a pair of aces dueling, the under looks like the smart play.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Matt Harvey (7-5, 2.99 ERA) lasted six innings giving up four hits and an unearned run to the Reds in a game that was suspended due to rain. He’s allowed two runs over his last 19.2 innings after surrendering 20 in his previous 25 innings pitched. He’ll enjoy the beautiful LA weather after battling through the rain in Saturday’s game.
Harvey is 0-1 in two lifetime starts against the Dodgers with a 5.25 ERA. He’s allowed 12 hits and seven runs over 12 innings against them.
Zack Greinke (6-2, 1.58 ERA) was dominant in a win on Sunday, blanking the Marlins for 7.2 innings. He limited Miami to four hits while striking out six, extending his scoreless innings streak to 20.2. He’s allowed more than one run just once in his last 11 starts as he continues on his road to the All-Star Game.
Greinke has just two wins at home this season despite his 1.83 ERA and 0.90 WHIP and hasn’t won a game at Dodger Stadium since Apr. 29. He’s 2-1 with a 3.12 ERA in four career starts against the Mets.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“I’ve always been able to throw four pitches for strikes. Sometimes they weren’t as quality, whereas this year, three of them have been high quality and the curveball has been so-so at best. But three pitches have been really good.” – Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke
LIVE BETTING or SITUATIONAL BETTING
It’s clear that the New York Mets could soon be out of the race in the NL East if they don’t start producing runs in a hurry. They scored once while getting swept by the Cubs at home and begin a brutal stretch of games against the aces of the Dodgers staff. But a lack of hitting isn’t the only problem the fading Mets face. They are a team hurt not just by the inefficiency at the plate, but by costly mental and physical mistakes that are only magnified by their lack of offense. Hitting just .232 as a team, the Mets need to take advantage of just about every opportunity to score. They didn’t do that against Chicago, being held scoreless in 28 of the 29 innings played in that series while getting just one run in three games.
PROP TALK
Dodgers’ rookie Joc Pederson continues to tantalize with tape-measure home runs but his average remains below .250 as he continues to bat in the leadoff spot. Pederson launched his 20th homer of the season Monday and manager Don Mattingly has increased his number of days off to keep the phenom fresh for the second half. Pederson may eventually settle into a spot in the middle of the order, but his athletic ability and speed have him hitting at the top of the order mainly by default.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
This matchup is almost unfair. Dodgers’ starter Zack Greinke has been so dominant with a 1.58 ERA and 0.91 WHIP over 108.1 innings. The Mets are struggling to string a couple of hits together, let alone score runs. New York will snap out of its funk, the law of averages tells us that. But trying to do it against Greinke, who should be handed the Cy Young award, will only delay their breaking out process.
Los Angeles 3, New York 0
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 New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers is scheduled for Saturday, July 4, 2015, at 7:15 p.m. ET at Dodger Stadium. The matchup will be televised regionally on FOX.
