New York learned over the weekend that its path to the NL East title isn’t going to be easy. The Mets dropped two of three at home to the Phillies and now get the Marlins, who they won 11 of 19 games from last season, before embarking on a nine-game road trip.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
More was expected than a 2-3 start to the season, especially given the competition the Mets faced over the weekend. Sure, a two-game set in Kansas City against the defending champs to open the campaign wasn’t the easiest, but the Metropolitans did get a split and returned home to face the lowly Phillies. But a funny thing happened to the Mets, they lost the final two of that three-game set, dropped the series and mustered just three runs in the two defeats.
New York is the favorite to win the NL East, and while the pitching was solid, the offense, which was non-existent for the first half of last season, took a hiatus against Philadelphia. Veteran third baseman David Wright said there is no reason to panic after a 2-3 start, and he’s right. The Mets started 2-3 last year before rattling off 11 consecutive victories.
PROBABLE PITCHERS
It was a trying 2015 for Jarred Cosart, who dealt with vertigo, an inner ear disorder and a demotion to Triple-A. He went 2-5 with a 4.52 ERA over 13 starts for the Marlins last year, but said he’s overcome his issues, and a tweak to his delivery resulted in him allowing no runs over 9.2 innings in spring training.
Cosart tossed eight scoreless innings against New York on April 27, though closer Steve Cishek blew it in the ninth and Miami lost 3-1. It was one of three starts he made against the Mets last year.
Steven Matz is considered a leading candidate for Rookie of the Year after going 4-0 with 2.27 ERA in six starts last season. He will make his season debut on Monday. His pinpoint control resulted in 47 strikeouts against 14 walks over 50.1 innings in the regular season and playoffs, and he kept the ball in yard with only four homers allowed – none over his final five starts.
The only one of Matz’s regular season starts New York lost came against the Marlins on Sept. 6. Matz when 5.1 innings and allowed two runs and four hits, but the bullpen blew a 3-2 lead in a 4-3 defeat.
LIVE BETTING
Two-time All-Star second baseman Dee Gordon, the defending National League batting champion, enjoyed tremendous success against the Mets in 2015. A bit surprising considering how dominant the New York staff was last season. In 19 games, Gordon hit .427 going 35 for 82, his highest batting average versus any opponent. Gordon is off to another hot start in 2016 with three multiple-hit games in his first four and a .421 average after collecting two hits on Sunday. Gordon hasn’t been selective against the Mets’ staff, either. He is 1 for 2 against Matz and hits .333 combined during his career against New York’s Bartolo Colon, Jacob deGrom and Matt Harvey. And if Gordon reaches first base he’s a threat to swipe a bag. He led the NL last season with 58 steals, becoming the first player to win the NL batting and steals titles in the same season since Jackie Robinson in 1949.
QUICK PICK
There’s plenty of hype surrounding Matz this season with his eligibility for Rookie of the Year still intact. Though his numbers faded a bit during the postseason, he was brilliant in his six starts with a 4-0 record and 2.27 ERA. Not only can the young southpaw pitch, he’s also a threat at the dish. During his final spring outing, Matz outhit the Cubs by lashing a single while holding them hitless over five frames. He hit .286 last season in 14 at-bats with a double and five RBIs. He brings an added element to the lineup and isn’t an easy out at the bottom of the order.
Cosart can deal as well, and with both teams scuffling at the plate there’s a good chance runs will be difficult to come by. Matz will be the difference on the hill and at the dish as the Mets get back in the win column.
MLB Odds: New York 4, Miami 2
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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 Miami Marlins and New York Mets is scheduled for Monday, April 11, 2016, at 7:10 p.m. ET at Citi Field.
