Fresh off an impressive four-game home sweep that saw them notch a tenth straight win over the hated Boston Red Sox, the New York Yankees will take a short drive over to Citi Field where it will look to continue its winning ways versus the MLB odds against the New York Mets. These teams split their four meetings of a season ago which has the recent series rivalry as even as it can possibly get with both squads snaring five wins in the last 10 overall meetings. Total bettors have also seen the O/U play out to a .500 mark with it splitting right down the middle during that same stretch. The over could however take the leg up at online sportsbooks in tonight’s series opener with J.A. Happ set to square off against Rick Porcello.
First pitch for the game between the New York Yankees and New York Mets is scheduled for Friday, August 21, 2020, at 7 p.m. ET from Citi Field. The matchup will be shown live on ESPN. You can bet on MLB Odds at BookMaker.eu every day of the season.
Odds Analysis
In winning 16 of its first 22 played games, New York currently rates out as the odds-on +225 favorite to represent the American League in the 2020 World Series. Only the Los Angeles Dodgers possess shorter odds to win it all than the Yanks who currently offer up a modest +425 return. However, most of the damage Aaron Boone’s troops have administered has come at home where it’s won 10 of 11 games. On the road, the Yankees have amassed a 6-5 record to cost MLB bettors $155 overall. As for the Mets, they went into the second game of their series at Miami four-games under .500 to shorten baseball bettor’s bankrolls by $559. The team sports identical home/away splits in going 5-7 with a bulk of the deficit coming at home where it’s down $385 overall. Combined, these teams have played to the under at a 23-20-3 clip.
Probable Pitchers
J.A. Happ: The Red Sox are in such a bad place right now that they allowed Happ to look like a capable MLB pitcher his last time out. After getting rung up for seven hits (3 HR), eight walks and 8 ER in his previous two outings against the Orioles and Phillies, the lefty came a single out short of throwing a quality start against Boston by limiting the Red Sox to just three hits (1 HR) and 1 ER through 5.2 innings. The win was his first of the season. He’s excelled against the Mets in his career pitching to a 3.86 ERA and .269 BAA to amass a 4-2 record through nine overall starts.
Rick Porcello: The righty took his third loss of the season last time out in Philadelphia where he was lucky to only give up 4 ER after getting raked for 10 hits (1 HR). On the bright side, he registered six strikeouts and didn’t issue a free pass. Even so, it’s been ugly for the veteran who likely won’t be returning to the Mets after signing a one-year deal in the offseason. His 3.20 FIP paints a much different picture than his bloated 6.76 ERA does, so maybe better things are on the horizon? Still, he must now deal with a Yankees offense that rakes right-handed pitching to the tune of a .268 batting average and league-best .843 OPS.
Player Prop Targets
While Porcello has been better than decent throughout his career against the Yankees in going 11-10 with a 3.96 ERA and 1.21 WHIP, this turn figures to be a rocky one for the veteran right-hander. Brett Gardner has stepped to the dish to oppose him 60 times and collected 17 hits (2 HR). Up next is Gleyber Torres and his 14 at-bats in which he’s batted .357 with a .971 OPS. The kicker is the trio of Mike Tauchman, Gio Urshela and Luke Voit who have combined for 20 plate appearances versus Porcello. They combined for 12 hits (1 HR), 5 RBI and a combined .632 batting average and 1.66 OPS! NY evidently sees Porcello’s stuff really well, so there isn’t going to be anywhere for him to hide in his sixth start of the season.
MLB Pick
Regardless of the fact that both of tonight’s starters have achieved success against their respective opponent’s in the past, neither of these veteran arms are in good form and that spells runs to me. This seriously might be a “Back Up the Brinks Truck” type of investment provided a home plate ump with a tight K zone situates himself behind the dish. The Yankees currently lead the league in hitting – especially against right-handers – while the Mets offense has averaged over five runs per game against lefties and currently find themselves in an offensive groove having scored at least five runs in four of its last six games with Dominic Smith coming into his own. Hit the full game and first five inning over and enjoy the late-August fireworks!
MLB Odds: Mets 8, Yankees 7
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!
