Tuesday night features an interleague matchup between the Boston Red Sox (14-9, 6-1 away) and the New York Mets (9-8, 6-2 home). The two teams meet up for a two-game series and will face each other again for a two-game set in September.
The first pitch is at 7:10 p.m. EST at Citi Field in New York, NY. You can catch the game as part of ESPN’s Tuesday Night Baseball coverage. The Mets are the favorite (-135), and the run total is 8.5.
What to Know – Boston Red Sox
Boston comes into the week sitting in first place in the American League East standings. The Red Sox own a 3.0 game lead over divisional foes. Boston split a four-game set with the Seattle Mariners over the weekend.
Right-hander Garrett Richards (0-2, 6.48 ERA, 1.86 WHIP) toes the rubber for the visitors. In his last starting, Richards fired 4.2 innings, scattered four hits, allowed four earned runs, walked six, and struck out two. The 32-year old has started four games this season, logging 16.2 innings.
Offensively, the Red Sox lead the majors in batting average (.276) and are third in runs batted in (111). Outfielder J.D. Martinez has been money at the plate, sporting a .370 batting average with seven home runs, 21 RBI, and 19 runs. Third baseman Rafael Devers is right behind Martinez with six home runs and 18 RBI.
What to Know – New York Mets
The Mets are atop the National League East, owning a half-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies. After getting swept by the Chicago Cubs during the week, the Metropolitans took two of three from the Washington Nationals to maintain its top spot.
David Peterson (1-2, 6.75 ERA, 1.35 WHIP) takes the mound for the Mets, looking to shake off his last outing. The lefty pitched his shortest outing of the year, tossing 3.1 innings and surrendering three runs. Peterson’s lone start at home was his best pitching performance this season.
New York’s offense hasn’t been on par with the Red Sox, but first baseman Pete Alonso has posted five home runs and 12 RBI to pace the Mets scoring. Outfielder Brandon Nimmo is off to a blazing start at the plate, leading the team in hits (20) and batting average (.370). The Mets’ pitching staff is one of the best in the majors with a 3.25 team ERA, sixth in the league.
The Pick is In
Tuesday night gives us a matchup of two top teams in their respective divisions. While the pitching matchup isn’t stellar, there are still many intriguing storylines in the matchup.
The Red Sox have had success on the road, posting a 6-1 record away from Fenway. Meanwhile, New York’s success has come at home this season, where the Mets are 6-2.
After both teams got a day off Monday, the offenses will score runs, and this one will be a high-scorer contest. Expect 10+ runs in this one behind timely hitting and poor pitching.
The Pick: Over 8.5 Runs
