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In an NL East divisional matchup between the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies, stakes are as high as ever this early in the season. Check out our MLB odds series, where our Mets-Phillies prediction and pick will be revealed.
The Mets come into this second matchup of a three-game series after blowing a 4-0 lead in the eighth inning, giving up five Phillies runs en route to their first losing streak of the season after sweeping the Nationals to start off 2022.
To stop the bleeding, the Mets will send out RHP Tylor Megill, who will be making his second start of the year after throwing five scoreless frames and fanning six batters in his season debut versus Washington.
Philadelphia is now 3-1 to ring in the new baseball year and will be looking to make themselves winners of four of their first five as veteran RHP Zach Wheeler will be making his first start out on the mound. Wheeler compiled a fantastic 2.78 ERA through 32 games started in 2021.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Mets-Phillies MLB odds:
MLB odds: Mets-Phillies Odds
New York Mets: +1.5 (-154)
Philadelphia Phillies: -1.5 (+128)
Over: 8.5 (-118)
Under: 8.5 (-104)
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Why the Mets Could Cover the Spread
After starting out 3-0 and putting the dangerous feeling of hope in the hearts of Mets fans all across the nation, New York has dropped back-to-back games and has reminded everyone that the MLB season is a marathon rather than a sprint. However, the Mets better put in high gear, as they can't afford the bullpen to choke games like they did 24 hours ago, especially against a hated rival like the Phillies. In fact, Philadelphia has won eight of ten over New York in the last ten matchups, so this is a trend that the Mets do not want to continue.
In their first three games of the season all resulting in victories, the Mets scored 17 runs, an average of just over 5.5 per contest. Since then, New York's hitting has gone stagnant versus opposing pitching, as the Mets have only generated six runs off of 17 hits and have been prone to leaving men in scoring position all too frequently. The consistency in all aspects has certainly lacked, and in a game on Tuesday that the Mets should've won, they would love the chance to hit the reset button in coming back to the top of the order in the pitching staff.
On Opening Day, Megill ate up Nationals batters, as the 26-year-old from Huntington Beach was clicking on all cylinders in his first start of the 2022 campaign. In order to avoid Mets faithful from around the globe having an aneurysm only five games into the season, New York will rely heavily on the right-handed hurler, especially with the offensive struggles over the past couple of outings.
The Mets are still a talented bunch that is capable in putting together good baseball, so a breakout performance after a massive letdown would ease some pain in and around the Big Apple.
Why the Phillies Could Cover the Spread
The heroics came in a big way on Monday evening, as the Phillies pulled a rabbit out of the hat in a shocking come from behind 5-4 win. After a disastrous start to the ballgame that saw third-baseman Alec Bohm commit a trio of errors in the opening three frames of the game, Bohm was seen shouting F-bombs towards the Philly home crowd and how much he “hates this place”. After cameras caught the corner infielder losing his cool in a frustrating night for the 25-year-old, the rest of the roster stepped up in his place by driving in five runs en route to their third win of the season thus far.
Philadelphia's star-studded lineup certainly saw its low moments on Monday night, but they bounced back late in the biggest way possible, punishing the Mets bullpen in crunch time.
The Phillies are statistically in the top ten of offensive categories to begin the year, and its pitching efforts have given them the second-best mark in WHIP at 0.94.
Philadelphia wasn't necessarily a productive club last season in barely finishing above .500 at 82-80 last season, but they were a tough egg to crack during home games at Citizens Bank Park with a record of 47-34. The ‘Phils will cover the spread versus their arch nemeses by playing consistently throughout all nine innings on Tuesday. Additionally, they will receive some much-needed support if former Met Zach Wheeler can start off his 2022 campaign the same way he ended his 2021 season by hitting his spots and mixing up pitches.
Final Mets-Phillies Prediction & Pick
The Mets were the better bunch for a majority of the contest between these two squads yesterday, but they could not find a way to close the door. Things will be different on Tuesday, as New York will cover the spread and maybe even come out victorious thanks to another stellar outing by Megill. Wheeler will be rusty in his first appearance of the year, and the Mets should take full advantage of that factor.
Final Mets-Phillies Prediction & Pick: Mets +1.5 (-154)
