MLB BASEBALL BETTING PREVIEW - NEW YORK METS @ PHILADELPHIA PHILLIE

MLB Baseball

2012-05-08 - New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillie

A Sports Betting Pick by Addicted

NEW YORK METS @ PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Baseball : North America : MLB
Tuesday, May 8th, 2012, 7:05PM US
(12:05AM GMT)

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PREVIEW

I'm not quite sure how but the Mets have extended their winning streak to 3 games now, after winning the opener of this 3 game series with the Phillies last night. The Mets came out on top 5-2 despite missing 2 starters and batting just .219 to the Phillies .250 and I feel we are likely to see the Phillies turn it on tonight to level things.

The Mets are going with Mets Miguel Batista, who is 0-1 with a massive 6.92ERA. Today will be Batista's 2nd start, as he is filling in for Mike Pelfrey. In his last start, Batista got tagged for 6 runs in a little over 3 innings worth of work by the SF Giants. He has been decent since, working out of the bullpen, but a start away from home is a different thing, and as we get into the innings he will struggle. At 41, he is not a young man, and I have no faith in him to work solidly through the game.

The Phillies are 14-16 now, having lost 3 of their last 4 games, so they dsperately need to correct things here tonight. They are sending out Joe Blanton to get the win, and he comes in with a 3-3 record and a 2.83ERA. Blanton is actually coming off a shutout win against Atlanta, whom he allowed just 3 hits. He has now won 2 straight games, and has pitched consistently well for 3 straight games, which give me confidence. In his last 3 starts he has not walked a single batter, but struck out 14.

Blanton is particularly good at home, which is why I am going to back him here. He is 13-2 in his last 15 home starts and has never lost at home when facing the Mets.

The Phillies did not score enough yesterday but will get a great chance to hammer out some runs tonight. The Mets are giving up 6.31 on the road through 13 games now, so they struggle as it is. With Batista on the mound, this will only continue. Jimmy Rollins is batting .550 against Batista and Placido Polanco is also doing well with a .343 average. I reckon the Phillies bats wake up today and they level the series.

BETTING VERDICT

Take the Philadelphia Phillies to win.

The Pick :