In the first of a three-game series between the New York Mets (63-52) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (66-46) at Citi Field, Bartolo Colon (10-11, 4.76 ERA) and J.A. Happ (4-7, 4.78 ERA) take the mound. The game gets underway at 7:10 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 14 and will air on RTPT and SNY.
In his last start, Colon pitched 6.2 innings, giving up four runs in a 4-3 loss to the Rays. Lucas Duda (.247, 57 Rs, 21 HRs, 55 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday. The Pirates were unsuccessful to the Cubs 5-0 the last time Happ pitched. He went 4.1 innings, allowing four runs, striking out six and walking two. Andrew McCutchen (.299, 67 Rs, 18 HRs, 77 RBIs, 6 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with two runs and one RBI.
New York is a small -115 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is seven runs. The Mets perform well as a favorite with a 49-16 record and have an overall money line of +1,049. Over the last 10 games, they have a very good record when playing as the favorite (8-1). New York has averaged 5.9 runs per game over the last 10 games, higher than its season average of 3.8. The Mets have the top batting average in the league at .238. The most recent 10 game stretch for New York’s pitching staff has gone great. Over that span, New York’s opponents are averaging 2.5 runs per game, below their season average of 3.5. The Mets don’t allow many hitters to get on base, leading the league with a 1.15 WHIP.
On the other side, the Pirates have a subpar record of 12-20 when they are the underdog, but are +1,087 overall with the money line. They have the third-lowest ERA in the NL at 3.26.
The previous three games have all gone Pittsburgh’s way. This game will feature Happ (RHP) on the mound against the Mets, who have a 50-42 record when they take on a right-handed starter. The right-handed Colon will take the mound against the Pirates, who have a 53-37 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – NYM, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, New York is 25-18, while Pittsburgh is 20-25.
Having scored zero runs in their last game, the Pirates are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Mets have an 11-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs.
When they are outhit, the Mets are 14-43. The Pirates have a 15-35 record when opponents outhit them.
Pittsburgh ranks near the bottom of the league at 23rd when it comes to home runs, hitting 93 this season. New York ranks in the top half at 15th with 105.
Ranking 15th, New York is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 7.95 per game. Pittsburgh ranks in the top five at fourth with 8.97.
Ranking 28th, New York is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.677). Pittsburgh ranks in the top half at 12th with an OPS of .714.
When the Pirates allow at least one home run, they are 27-28, well-matched with the Mets who are 26-36 when allowing at least one homer.
