Jeremy Hellickson (3-3, 5.08 ERA) and Matt Harvey (5-3, 3.10 ERA) start in the first of a four-game series between the Arizona Diamondbacks (25-27) and the New York Mets (29-25) at Chase Field. Action begins at 9:40 p.m. ET on Thursday, Jun. 4 and can be seen on SNY and FSN-AZ.
Hellickson pitched 6.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering two runs, striking out three and walking one in a 7-3 win over the Brewers. A.J. Pollock (.318, 37 Rs, 7 HRs, 23 RBIs, 13 SBs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 2 for 4 with two runs, one home run, and one RBI. Harvey is 1-1 with a 3.97 ERA against the Diamondbacks in his career. He takes on a good Arizona offense that’s batting .266. Michael Cuddyer (.271, 25 Rs, 5 HRs, 23 RBIs) has been successful at the plate, going 3 for 4 yesterday with one run and one RBI.
New York takes on Arizona as a -145 favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at eight runs. The Diamondbacks have an overall money line of +39 and a record as the underdog of 17-18. Arizona is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 49 bases.
Over in the other dugout, New York is coming in with an overall money line of +452 and an impressive record of 23-6 as the favorite. The Mets allow 3.6 runs per game, but have damaged those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 4.7 runs per game during that span. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Mets are one of the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.15 for the season.
The Diamondbacks have a 20-20 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Harvey takes the mound. Hellickson (RHP) will be on the hill against the Mets, who have a 25-18 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – ARI, O/U – Over
Notes
New York has won 62% (15-9) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Arizona has won 75% (12-4) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Diamondbacks are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Mets have an 8-20 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
It looks like the Diamondbacks have a slight leg up on the Mets, as the Diamondbacks have won their last two games while the Mets have lost their last two.
When they outhit their opponents, the Diamondbacks are 16-5. The Mets have an 18-2 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 23rd in runs, New York has earned 204 this season. Arizona ranks second with 250 runs.
Ranking 18th, New York is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 150 this season. Arizona ranks in the top half at 14th with 161.
The Diamondbacks are 20-11 when they hit at least one home run. The Mets perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 19-8 record.
