The New York Mets, despite not making the playoffs, are displaying strong recent performance, entering Wednesday's game having won 10 of their last 13 contests. This series opener against the San Diego Padres saw the Mets secure a victory.
Oddsmakers have positioned the Mets as slight home underdogs for Wednesday afternoon's game. The Mets are scheduled to start 36-year-old right-hander Robert Stock (0-2, 6.57 ERA), while the Padres will counter with Michael King (8-8, 3.42 ERA).
Despite both teams ranking in the bottom half of the league in runs scored per game for the season, their offensive production has surged recently. The Padres have scored 63 runs over their last 13 games, an average of 4.9 runs per game, ranking eighth in baseball. The Mets have been even more potent, scoring 68 runs in the same period, averaging 5.2 runs per game, which is the fourth-highest mark in MLB.
Stock has struggled recently, allowing eight earned runs against the Pirates on August 8 and exhibiting similar difficulties against the Nationals six days later. The Mets appear to be utilizing this period to evaluate minor league players.
Bettors may find value in the first-inning run market, with an expectation of at least one run being scored at plus money. Several Mets hitters have a history of success against King, with Bo Bichette batting .763 against him and other players like Francisco Lindor, Luis Robert Jr., Jared Young, and Luis Torrens boasting an OPS of 1.000 or higher.
An additional betting recommendation is to target the over on the total game runs, which is projected to open at 8.5.