The New York Mets (40-40, -2.54 Units) are coming off of a three-game series in which they scored just one run and were booed out of Citi Field.
You'd think that going into a West Coast swing might be well-timed, but an 11-26 road record doesn't bode well going into the Fourth of July against the Los Angeles Dodgers (45-35, -6.35 Units).
PITCHING MATCHUP
What a miserable time this is for the Mets. They were just destroyed by Cubs pitching thanks to a woeful offensive effort, and now they have to go against Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke on consecutive nights to start this West Coast swing.
Greinke is our concern for the purposes of this game, and there's little reason to think that he is going to give up much of anything in this one. In his last three outings, Greinke has posted an ERA of exactly 0.00, and he has allowed just a total of 11 hits and three walks over 20.2 innings of work.
The Mets are going to have their ace on the mound in Matt Harvey, but we aren't sure that it is going to make that much of a difference. Sure, Harvey has allowed just one earned run in his last 19.2 innings of work over three starts, but the team has only given him five total runs of support in those games.
Live bettors should be aware of the low total in this one. The number could legitimately be just 5.5 in this game, and playing the under consistently might not be a bad idea. Greinke has been responsible for five straight under games in his starts. Harvey's streak is at three straight unders. None of those eight games featured more than a total of six runs.
ADVANCED STATS
It doesn't really take advanced stats to show just how bad the Mets have been offensively of late. They have scored more than two runs exactly twice in that stretch, averaging only 1.64 runs per game.
They have hit just .175 as a team, and though some of that surely should improve thanks to a .212 BABIP, they also have an ISO as a club of just .094 in that stretch.
What's worse is that they just aren't stringing hits together. Of their 23 runs scored in those 14 games, 13 of them have come directly off of home runs. Averaging less than a run per game without the use of the homer just isn't going to cut it.
TALKING BULLPENS
Greinke probably isn't going to need all that much of his bullpen in this one, which leaves us talking strictly about Kenley Jansen, LA's closer.
It's a little concerning that Jansen has given up a run in each of his last two outings, but the bottom line is that he is consistently getting the job done. He has blown just one save this year, and he got the win in that game, effectively making him 14-of-14 in terms of winning games in which he is called upon.
The Mets, on top of everything else that could be going on badly, have struck out a ton, and that lends itself to Jansen having a perfect inning if he has to come into the game. The righty has struck out six men in his last three innings and has 30 strikeouts in 17.2 innings of work.
You can pretty much bank safely on Jansen to close a game out, as we would be willing to lay even -1000 on him and the Dodgers in live betting with a one-run lead with three outs to get.
The baseball betting odds for this game will first be available at BookMaker Sportsbook. BookMaker is going to have multiple betting options available for this baseball matchup. Live wagering during commercials offers and adjusted moneyline, individual inning run totals and next hitter results. Log in, and start gambling during the game now!
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go.
Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The game between the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers will start at 7:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 4, 2015 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. The matchup will be televised regionally on FOX.
