Nathan Karns (6-5, 3.37 ERA) and the Tampa Bay Rays (54-56) meet Noah Syndergaard (6-5, 2.66 ERA) and the New York Mets (59-50) in the second of a three-game interleague series at Tropicana Field. The Mets won the last game 4-3, extending a seven-game winning streak. The game gets underway at 6:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 8 and will air on SUN and WPIX.
In his last start, Karns pitched 5.1 innings, allowing two runs, striking out seven and walking two in a 5-4 loss to the White Sox. Steven Souza Jr. (.214, 47 Rs, 15 HRs, 34 RBIs, 10 SBs) went 1 for 2 yesterday with two runs. The Mets were victorious the last time Syndergaard pitched. He had a good outing, pitching 8.0 innings, allowing two runs and striking out nine in a 5-2 victory over the Nationals.
Tampa Bay is a +114 underdog in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is six runs. When playing as the underdog, the Rays have a 28-32 record and overall money line at -442. They have an SU record of 7-6 against the NL and a 4-2 record when they were the underdog in those games. Over their past 10 games, Tampa Bay’s offense has been playing lights out, averaging 5.6 runs per game, well over their season average of 3.7. Transitioning to the pitching staff, the Rays rank fourth in the NL in ERA with a 3.60 team average. The Rays don’t give up many hits to opposing batters, leading the AL with only 7.9 hits allowed per game. An area where the Rays are particularly strong at home is striking batters out, where they average an AL-best 8.8 K’s per home game.
Switching to the opposing bench, the Mets come into this game with a solid win percentage of .750 when playing as the favorite (45-15) and an overall money line of +860. Over the past 10 matchups, they are 8-2 SU and have played well as the favorite with an 8-2 record. New York has been playing better lately, averaging 5.3 runs per game, more than their season average of 3.7. New York is one of the top hitting teams in the league with 284 extra base hits. The Mets are a problem for opposing batters, sporting a 3.27 ERA this season. They have a WHIP of 1.16 on the year, good for tops in the league.
The only other game between the two teams went New York’s way. The Rays will take on a right-hander (Syndergaard) in this game and have a 34-44 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Mets will be the right-hander Karns. They sport a 48-40 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – NYM, O/U – Over
Notes
Tampa Bay has won 50% (21-21) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, New York has won 59% (24-17) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Mets are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Rays have an 11-18 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Rays are 10-35. The Mets have a 13-41 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 16th in home runs, New York has hit 98 this season. Tampa Bay ranks 13th with 103 home runs.
Both Tampa Bay and New York are tied at 15th in hits, notching 8.08 per game.
Tampa Bay and New York both rank near the bottom of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Tampa Bay sits at 22nd with an OPS of .698 and New York ranks 29th with an OPS of .674.
When the Mets allow at least one home run, they are 24-34. When the Rays allow one or more homers, they have a 25-41 record.
