It’s two managers very much on the hot seat squaring off in Game 2 of a series on Tuesday night as the New York Mets visit the struggling Philadelphia Phillies. Both New York’s Mickey Callaway and Philly’s Gabe Kapler are feeling the heat from their respective fan bases. The Phils are favored on the MLB Lines for this one.
How to Bet Mets vs Phillies MLB Odds & Game Info
- When: Tuesday, 7:05 PM ET
- Where: Citizens Bank Park
- Probable pitchers (away/home): Walter Lockett/Jake Arrieta
- TV: MLB Network
- Live Stream: MLB.tv
- Radio: WPG
- MLB Odds: Philadelphia Phillies -160 (Total 10.5)
Why Bet on NY Mets?
There was some talk that the disappointing Mets might fire Manager Mickey Callaway on Monday after he had a profane confrontation with a reporter after Sunday’s loss in Chicago. The incident followed a tense postgame news conference when reporters asked Callaway repeatedly about his decision to stick with reliever Seth Lugo during the eighth inning instead of going to closer Edwin Diaz. Lugo allowed a go-ahead three-run homer to Javier Baez.
Callaway told the public relations staff to “Get this motherf—-er” out of the clubhouse regarding Newsday reporter Tim Healey, and when Healey didn’t leave, pitcher Jason Vargas got into a stare down with him. Words were exchanged and Vargas had to be restrained from him. The Mets have apologized for what happened. Callaway, the Mets’ embattled second-year manager, received a vote of confidence from first-year general manager Brodie Van Wagenen in late May after the club was swept by the Marlins in a three-game series in Miami. His leash is going to be very short now.
One huge bright spot this year has been rookie first baseman, Pete Alonso. He hit his 27th homer of the season on Sunday to set the franchise rookie record. Darryl Strawberry had held the Mets’ record for home runs by a rookie since he hit 26 in 1983. He was the National League Rookie of the Year that season and hit his 26 home runs in 122 games. Alonso hit his 27th home run in just his 77th game.
Alonso is on pace to demolish a lot of records this year, ranking among the league leaders with his 27 homers — not just rookie leaders; all leaders — and he’s got 61 RBI and 50 runs scored to go with a .276/.366/.642 line. Alonso has also established a National League record with rookie homers prior to the All-Star break. Only three other players have hit more homers prior to the All-Star break. Alonso’s 61 first-half RBI are also a Mets club rookie record.
Mets pitcher Walter Lockett didn’t fare well in his New York debut. Starting in place of injured Noah Syndergaard, Lockett allowed six earned runs in just 2 1/3 innings against the Cubs. Lockett got through the first two innings unscathed before things unraveled in the third. In that inning, the Cubs sent 10 batters to the plate, with Lockett yielding five hits — including a two-run double and an RBI triple — before being removed. Syndergaard (hamstring) is expected to return to the rotation this week, so Lockett should move to the bullpen or be sent back to the minors after Tuesday’s start.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 2.30
- Hits: 4.22
- Walks: 1.60
- Strike Outs: 4.34
- Runs: 2.47
- Hits: 4.30
- Walks: 1.61
- Strike Outs: 4.36
Why Bet on Philadelphia?
Outfielder Adam Haseley, one of the Phillies’ top prospects, began a minor league rehab assignment Monday with Double-A Reading. Haseley went 1-for-7 during his first stint in the majors earlier this month before going down with a left groin strain. He could be back in the center field mix within the next few days.
J.T. Realmuto has thrown out 19 runners attempting to steal and is credited with 23 total caught stealing on the season (he is co-credited for 4 instances when a pitcher caught a runner stealing). Those 19 runners thrown out are four more than any catcher in baseball and nine more than any NL catcher and the 23 caught stealing overall are tops in baseball by seven and tops in the NL by 10.
The Phillies are one of only three teams in baseball to boast two players with 50 RBI, those being Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins, joining Minnesota (3, Cron, Kepler, Rosario) and Arizona. (Escobar, Marte). Hoskins, who also has 50 walks, is the first Phillie to have 50 RBI and 50 walks before the All-Star break in consecutive seasons since Bobby Abreu did so in four straight, 2003-06.
Philly starter Jake Arrieta (6-6) took the loss in the second game of last Wednesday’s doubleheader, giving up one run on two hits and a walk over six innings while striking out three as the Phillies fell 2-0 to the Nationals. The right-hander made only one real mistake, getting taken deep by Brian Dozier in the second inning, but that was one mistake too many with Max Scherzer in Cy Young form for the Nats. Arrieta now has 10 quality starts on the season, and he’ll carry a 4.12 ERA and 73:37 K:BB through 91.2 innings into Monday.
Arrieta put together back-to-back quality starts for the first time since late May, but he is 3-5 with a 4.95 ERA in his last 11 starts dating to April 22. Opponents have a .820 OPS in that stretch.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 2.27
- Hits: 3.90
- Walks: 1.77
- Strike Outs: 4.05
- Runs: 2.29
- Hits: 4.33
- Walks: 1.62
- Strike Outs: 4.00
Mets vs Phillies MLB Betting Trends
- Mets are 3-10 in their last 13 road games vs. a right-handed starter
- Phillies are 19-7 in their last 26 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400
- Under is 4-1 in Arrieta’s last 5 starts vs. Mets
- Mets are 6-14 SU in their last 20 games on the road
- The total has gone OVER in 8 of NY Mets’ last 12 games against an opponent in the National League
- Phillies are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against NY Mets
- The total has gone OVER in 12 of Philadelphia’s last 18 games played on a Tuesday
Expert Final Score Prediction for Mets vs Phillies
New York Mets 4 – Philadelphia Phillies 7
