Sizzling D-backs begin long homestand with series against Mets
From Chase Field in Phoenix, we have the Mets and Diamondbacks facing off in an NL matchup. This one gets started at 9:40 PM ET and is being televised on SNY. The Mets are 3rd in the NL East, while the Diamondbacks have won six straight and are 2nd in the NL West with an overall record of 75-56.
New York comes in with a money line odds of -104 compared to the Diamondbacks at -115. The over/under line is sitting at 8.5 runs, and Eduardo Rodriguez will be on the mound for the Diamondbacks. The Mets are starting Sean Manaea.
New York vs. Arizona Key Information
- Teams: Mets at Diamondbacks
- Where: Chase Field Phoenix
- Date: Tuesday, August 27th
- Betting Odds ARI -115 | NYM -104 O/U 8.5
The Mets Can Win If…
Left-hander Sean Manaea gets the start for the Mets today as he faces the Diamondbacks on the road. This year, he has made 25 starts and has a record of 9-5 with a 3.48 ERA. Manaea’s WHIP for the season is currently 1.17. In his last outing, he finished with a no-decision, going seven innings and giving up three earned runs on three homers. Before that, he had won two straight starts. Manaea has a total of 10 quality starts this year and is averaging 9.07 strikeouts per nine innings.
Francisco Lindor has been swinging a hot bat for the Mets, going 11/34 in his last eight games, including three home runs. For the season, Lindor is batting .269 with 27 homers and 78 RBIs, which is 15th best in the league. Pete Alonso also has 27 homers for the Mets, but he is batting just .245.
As a team, the Mets are averaging 4.8 runs per game and have been even better on the road, averaging 5 runs per contest. Overall, they are the league’s 5th best home run hitting team and have the 9th best slugging percentage in the league.
- The Mets are 6-4 in their last ten games.
- Over their last five games, the Mets are 3-2 vs. the run line.
- New York has an over/under record of 4-6 in their last ten games.
- The Mets have an average of 4.2 runs per game over their last five games.
- Across their last ten road games, the Mets are 4-6
- Looking back across the Mets last five games as the favorite, they are 3-2
- New York has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
- In their ten most recent road games, the Mets have averaged 3.5 runs per game on offense
The Diamondbacks Can Win If…
Eduardo Rodriguez will be making his third start of the season for the Diamondbacks, who are hosting the Mets. In his first start of the season, Rodriguez picked up a win, going 5 1/3 innings and giving up just 1 earned run. He followed that up with a no-decision vs. the Rockies, where he went 5 innings and gave up 3 runs.
Arizona has the best offense in the majors this season, averaging 5.4 runs per game. They have been even better at home, putting up 5.5 runs per contest. The Diamondbacks have been one of the league’s top home run-hitting teams this season and are also 2nd in team batting average.
Ketel Marte has been the Diamondbacks’ top power threat this season, as his 30 home runs are 6th best in the league. He is also 12th in the MLB with 81 RBIs. Marte is batting .298 for the season and comes into the game on a three-game hitting streak. Christian Walker is also a power threat in the lineup, as his 23 homers are 2nd on the team and 12th in the majors.
- The Diamondbacks are 7-3 in their last ten games.
- Over their last five games, the Diamondbacks are 5-0 vs. the run line.
- Arizona has an over/under record of 7-2-1 in their last ten games.
- The Diamondbacks have an average of 7.2 runs per game over their last five games.
- Across their last ten home games, the Diamondbacks are 7-3
- Looking back across the Diamondbacks last five games as the favorite, they are 3-2
- Arizona has gone 3-0 in their last three games as the underdog
- In their ten most recent road games, the Diamondbacks have averaged 6.2 runs per game on offense
The Lean
As the Diamondbacks host the Mets today, we are leaning towards the Diamondbacks picking up the win at home. We also like the over in this one, as this is projected to be the 4th highest-scoring game of the day. Eduardo Rodriguez is our 2nd ranked starting pitcher in terms of strikeouts today, and he also has the 8th best chance to pick up a win.
The Arizona Diamondbacks, the hottest team in Major League Baseball, are set to begin a critical homestand with a three-game series against the New York Mets on Tuesday night. The D-backs, who only secured a winning record for the season on July 12, are now aiming to move 20 games above the .500 mark, showcasing a dramatic turnaround that has put them in a strong position for a postseason run.
Arizona’s Remarkable Turnaround
The Diamondbacks have been on a tear, winning 24 of their last 30 games, and entering this series against the Mets on the heels of their second six-game winning streak in August. This incredible run has propelled them into a tight race for the National League (NL) West title, where they currently trail the Los Angeles Dodgers by just three games. Moreover, Arizona leads the NL wild-card chase, solidifying their status as a formidable contender in the postseason.
Reflecting on their current form, Arizona right-hander Merrill Kelly expressed confidence in the team’s potential. “I know a lot of our guys, if not all of our guys, feel that we’re a better team than we were last year going into the playoffs,” Kelly said. This sentiment is echoed throughout the clubhouse, where the focus remains on internal belief rather than external opinions.
Key Contributors Fueling Success
Central to Arizona’s resurgence has been the outstanding performance of key players like Eugenio Suarez. Suarez has been instrumental during the Diamondbacks’ recent success, particularly during their sweep of the Boston Red Sox, where he went 8-for-13 with two home runs and 10 RBIs. Since the start of July, Suarez has hit 14 homers and driven in 47 runs, a remarkable turnaround after a slow start to the season.
“I’m not trying to be a hero,” Suarez said, emphasizing his commitment to the team’s process. “I work hard and put everything I have on the field.” This humble, team-first mentality has been a driving force behind Arizona’s success, as players focus on consistent, collective effort rather than individual accolades.
A Crucial Series Against the Mets
The upcoming series against the Mets represents a significant challenge for the Diamondbacks, as New York is still in the hunt for a wild-card spot. The Mets, who are coming off a split in a four-game series against the San Diego Padres, are 2.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves for the final NL wild-card berth. Despite a heartbreaking loss to the Padres, in which they surrendered a late lead, the Mets remain determined as they head into Phoenix.
“Obviously, it hurts, because we’re going up against a team that we’ve got to beat to be there,” said Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez. However, New York manager Carlos Mendoza remains optimistic, noting that the team played a strong series against a top-tier opponent in San Diego.
Pitching Matchup: Rodriguez vs. Manaea
Tuesday’s series opener will feature a pitching duel between Arizona’s Eduardo Rodriguez and New York’s Sean Manaea. Rodriguez, making his fourth start of the season after recovering from lat and shoulder injuries, has been effective since returning to the rotation. He boasts a 1.46 ERA in two career starts against the Mets and has been a steady presence on the mound for the D-backs.
On the other hand, Manaea will be looking to bounce back after a mixed season. The 32-year-old southpaw, who has a 9-5 record with a 3.48 ERA this year, struggled in his previous outing against Arizona, allowing six runs (five earned) over 5 2/3 innings on June 1. However, his ability to strike out batters (10 Ks in that game) remains a key asset for the Mets as they attempt to slow down the surging Diamondbacks.
Arizona’s Road Ahead
Following the Mets series, the Diamondbacks will face another tough test with a four-game set against the Los Angeles Dodgers. This stretch of games could prove pivotal in determining the outcome of the NL West race and Arizona’s positioning in the wild-card standings. With momentum on their side and a deep belief in their capabilities, the Diamondbacks are poised to make a statement as the postseason approaches.
As the D-backs continue their march towards October, the team’s internal confidence, bolstered by the likes of Kelly and Suarez, will be crucial. They are not just aiming to make the playoffs—they are determined to go even further than last year’s World Series appearance.
Conclusion
The Arizona Diamondbacks are riding a wave of momentum as they open a crucial homestand against the New York Mets. With key contributions from players like Eugenio Suarez and a strong pitching lineup led by Eduardo Rodriguez, the D-backs are in prime position to continue their winning ways. As they push towards the postseason, every game becomes increasingly important, and the Diamondbacks are ready to rise to the challenge.
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