Houston Astros Vs. New York Mets (6/28/22) Starting Lineup, Betting Odds, Prediction

Last season the Houston Astros won the American League pennant, losing to the Atlanta Braves in the 2021 World Series.  This season, Houston is 45-27 through 72 games, first place in the American League West; the Astros are -5000 to win the division.  Houston is +550 to win the 2022 World Series, they won their only championship in 2017.

The New York Mets lead the National League East with a record of 47-27 in their first 74 games of the 2022 season.  New York is currently -255 to win the division and +340 to win the National League pennant; their last NL East title was 2015.  The Mets’ last appearance in the playoffs was in 2016; losing at home to the San Francisco Giants in the Wild Card Game.  Currently New York is +700 to win the 2022 World Series, they last won the championship in 1986.

Houston Astros Vs. New York Mets Betting Odds

The Astros are 8-1 in their last nine road games vs. a right-handed starter.  Over is 4-0-1 in Houston’s last five interleague games vs. a right-handed starter.  The Astros are 107-49 in their last 156 during game one of a series.  Over is 6-1 in Houston’s last seven during game one of a series.

The Mets are 3-7 in their last 10 interleague games.  Over is 16-5-2 in New York’s last 23 interleague games.  The Mets are 20-6 in their last 26 during game one of a series.  Over is 5-1 in New York’s last six during game one of a series.

Houston Astros Starting Lineup

F. Valdez L
7-3 2.90 ERA

2B J. Altuve R
LF M. Brantley L
3B A. Bregman R
DH Y. Alvarez L
RF K. Tucker L
1B Y. Gurriel R
SS J. Pena R
CF J. Meyers R
C M. Maldonado R

Houston Astros Vs. Carlos Carrasco (R)

Designated hitter Yordan Alvarez leads the Astros this year with 22 home runs (tied for second in MLB) and has knocked in 54 runs (fifth in the big leagues) while also leading the team with a .312 batting average.  Alvarez has 150 total bases with a .649 slugging percentage and an OPS of 1.053, which is second in both categories in the majors this year.  The 2019 Rookie of the Year is +1000 to win the 2022 American League MVP.

Last season, Tucker hit .294 with 30 home runs and 92 runs batted in.  This season, he has belted 14 home runs (third on the Astros) and driven in 48 runs in 236 at-bats. Additionally, he has 114 total bases, a .483 slugging percentage with an OPS of .832 in 2022.  Michael Brantley is hitting .288 in his first 243 at-bats, second on the club in batting average.   Additionally, he has 14 doubles, a triple, five home run, 26 runs batted in and 101 total bases.  Brantley is questionable for Tuesday’s game due to a shoulder injury. 

Alex Bregman has 15 doubles, nine home runs and 35 runs driven in this season.  He has 99 total bases with a .406 slugging percentage and an OPS of .764.  Bregman is a career .277 hitter with 126 home runs and 432 runs batted in.  Jose Altuve has 13 doubles, 15 home runs (second on the team), 26 runs batted in with 119 total bases this season.  The 2017 American League MVP is hitting .275, slugging .536 with an .895 OPS in 2022. Jeremy Pena has nine home runs, 27 runs batted in, 92 total bases and an OPS of .804 this year.

Carlos Carrasco is 8-3 in 14 starts with a 4.42 ERA in his second season with the Mets.  This season he’s struck out 77 batters, allowed 38 runs with a WHIP of 1.293 in 77 1/3 innings.  Against the Astros in his career, he’s 4-4 with a 4.34 ERA in 10 games (nine starts); he’s struck out 65 hitters in 56 innings.

New York Mets Starting Lineup

C. Carrasco R
8-3 4.42 ERA

CF B. Nimmo L
RF S. Marte R
SS F. Lindor S
1B P. Alonso R
DH J. McNeil L
3B E. Escobar S
LF M. Canha R
2B L. Guillorme L
C J. McCann R

New York Mets Vs. Framber Valdez (L)

Pete Alonso was red-hot in May this year, hitting .315 with nine home runs and 30 runs batted in, he’s continued to stay hot in June. In his last five games, Alonso has three home runs and five runs batted in.  The Mets first baseman is currently tied for second in Major League Baseball with 22 home runs, while leading all of baseball in runs batted in with 69.  Additionally, he has 153 total bases, an OPS of .927 with a .567 slugging percentage.  Alonso is +500 to win his first National League MVP award. 

In his first season with the Mets in 2021, Francisco Lindor hit .230 with 20 home runs, 63 runs batted in, 73 runs scored and an OPS of .734.  The New York shortstop is batting .246 with 12 home runs and 56 runs batted in: tied for fourth in all Major League Baseball.  He’s second on the club in total bases with 121 with a .426 slugging percentage and an OPS of .748 in 2022.  Jeff McNeil is a lifetime .301 career hitter and currently third in the National League in hitting at .327.  New York’s number one has hit four home runs, driven in 33 runs with 105 total bases for an OPS of .850 in 2022. 

Starling Marte hit .310 with 12 home runs and 55 runs batted in playing for the Marlins and Athletics last season.  The first year New York Met has 24 extra base hits (seven home runs), 36 runs driven in with a .276 batting average in 2022.  Marte has 112 totals bases, an OPS of .762 while slugging .436 this season.  Brandon Nimmo has been a pleasant surprise for New York this campaign, batting .278 with 23 extra base hits with an OPS of .797 while playing a stellar centerfield for the Mets.

Framber Valdez is 7-3 in 14 starts with an ERA of 2.90 this season.   In 87 innings tossed this season he has struck out 75 hitters, allowed 28 runs with a 1.126 WHIP.  Valdez has won 31 games in his big-league career striking out 378 batters in 400 innings.

Houston Astros Vs. New York Mets Picks & Prediction

The Astros are 9-2 in their last 11 vs. a team with a winning record.  Houston is averaging 4.37 runs per nine innings, 17^th in Major League Baseball. They have a team batting average of .238, 20^th in the league, and their OPS is .734, sixth in all of MLB.  The Astros’ pitching staff has allowed 3.49 runs per nine innings, third in the league with opponents’ batting .216 against the team, third in MLB.  Over is 3-1-1 in Houston’s last five vs. National League East opponents.

New York is 26-7 in their last 33 games following an off day.  The Mets are averaging 5.01 runs per nine innings, third overall in MLB.  They have a team batting average of .259, third in the league, and their OPS is .732, eighth in baseball.  New York’s pitching staff has allowed 4.09 runs per nine innings, 10^th in MLB with opponents’ batting .237, 12^th in the majors with an OPS of .683 against the club, eighth in the big leagues.  Over is 5-1-1 in the Mets’ last seven vs. American League West foes.

The Astros pitching was outstanding this past weekend against the Yankees, pitching a combined no-hitter on Saturday, and allowing four hits on Sunday, but losing the game 6-3 in 10 innings.  The Mets are 13-10 in June, losing three out of their last five games.  New York is 14 games over .500 at Citi Field in 2022, that’s a main reason why I pick the Mets in this game, who are a 1.5 run underdog, as the teams combine to score over eight runs.