A good one is set to close out the baseball betting week with the NL East rival Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets closing their weekend series out under the bright lights of ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball telecast. Buck Showalter’s troops have burst out of the gates to secure an early four-game lead atop the division standings. The Phillies went through an early rough patch, but have since tallied wins at online sportsbooks in four of their last six to claw to within five games of the division leaders. As such, this is a crucial early season series for these franchises that should have both sides bringing their “A” games to the playing field for the series finale. On paper, the host Mets look to have a strong edge with Mad Max Scherzer on the starting bump, but Zach Eflin has gotten out to a noticeably strong start that’ll have me leaning towards backing the road dog if the price is right on the MLB odds.
First pitch for the series finale between the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets is scheduled for Sunday, May 1, 2022, at 7 p.m. ET from Citi Field. This week’s Sunday Night Baseball telecast will air live on ESPN. Bet on MLB odds and player props at BookMaker.eu every day of the season.
MLB Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Odds Analysis
Clocking in 8-10 and down upwards of $400 for baseball bettors to this point of the season, the Phillies chime in as the fifth worst bet in all of baseball ahead of only the Reds, Nats, White Sox, and Red Sox. If this team is to have any shot of making a run at the division pennant, it’s going to need to figure out how to win some games on the road where it’s managed just two wins through seven tries and cost its wagering supporters nearly $300 in the process. Philly’s split its last 20 overall visits to Citi Field, but has only scored five wins in its last 13. New York couldn’t have asked for a better start to its 2020 campaign. Under the new coaching staff’s watch, the team has won 14 of 19 played games to clock in as the second best bet in the league $553 behind only the San Francisco Giants. It’s won five of seven at home $137 and sits seven-games over .500 against the run-line $886.
Probable Pitchers
Zach Eflin R: To date, the right-hander has squared off against the A’s, Marlins and Rockies twice. Those respective offenses rank No. 28, No. 10, and No. 2 in team batting average. His showings have resulted in a 1-1 record, 3.20 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and .243 batting average against. He’s logged a 15:4 K/BB ratio which equates to a 6.9 K/9 and 1.8 BB/9. The fact that his 2.97 FIP checks in lower than his ERA lets it be known that the output has been legit. This start will be a true litmus test since the Mets have had his number in season’s past. Eflin’s 3-4 with a 4.70 ERA and 1.521 BAA against NY with only the Marlins and Braves hitting more home runs against him overall 12. The Mets stand 12-3 against RHP to date, so his curveball better be live for this one - or else!
Max Scherzer R: The consummate pro, it doesn’t matter what team you stick Mad Max on, he’s going to thrive! Picking right back up where he left off last season, Scherzer stands an unblemished 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA, 2.04 FIP, 0.76 WHIP, and .131 BAA over the course of 25 innings and four made starts. He already led the Mets to a 9-6 win at Citizens Bank Park back on April 13 when he went five innings and allowed just five hits and 1 ER while registering 7 K. He was brilliant in his lone home start as well tossing seven innings of 1 ER ball against San Fran while also racking up 10 strikeouts; an output tallied in each of his last two starts! That being said, Philly’s been a tougher lineup for right-handers to fan this season No. 4, so you might want to entertain the thought of fading Max’s K prop should linemakers inflate the heck out of it due to his last two outings.
Phillies vs. Mets Prediction
There’s simply no excuse that can be made for the Phillies just 5-8 and averaging just over 4.0 runs per game against RHP; not with all those left-handed bats littered up and down the lineup! This is a show-me spot for Joe Girardi’s squad. It’s high time Philadelphia let it be known that it’s a player and not just an observer of this NL East pennant race. Linemakers likely won’t be able to set the line high enough to get much bite on Philly with Scherzer on the bump. Those are the type of spots I look forward to taking advantage of over the course of a baseball betting season! I mean it only makes perfect sense to roll with the home team due to their gross advantages on the starting bump, bullpen, and batting lineup - right? Nope, gimme the big dogs in the finale!
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!
