San Diego Padres vs Ny Mets Picks and Predictions August 23rd 2024

Joe Musgrove and the Padres will host the Mets tonight at 9:40 PM ET at PETCO Park in San Diego, and the Padres are favored on the money line (-140). The money line odds have the Mets at +119, and the over/under line is currently 7.5 runs.

New York will be looking to keep their two-game winning streak alive, and they are 67-61 overall, which has them 3rd in the NL East. San Diego is 3rd in the NL West with an overall record of 72-57.

New York is sending right-hander Paul Blackburn to the mound today vs. the Padres. He has made 13 starts this season and has a record of 5-3 with an ERA of 4.19. Blackburn’s WHIP for the season is currently 1.19. In his 13 appearances, he has turned in seven quality starts. Blackburn’s last outing came on August 18th vs. the Marlins, where he finished with a no-decision, going six innings and giving up one earned run on four hits. Before that, he had given up at least two homers in three straight outings.

Francisco Lindor has been swinging a hot bat of late, going 10/28 in his last seven games, including two home runs. Lindor is also the Mets’ top hitter this season, batting .268 with 25 homers and 73 RBIs. Pete Alonso has also provided some power in the lineup, as he is 10th in the league with 27 homers and is 3rd on the team with 70 RBIs.

As a team, the Mets are 5th in the league in home runs and are averaging 4.8 runs per game. They have been even better on the road, averaging 5.1 runs per contest. Overall, they are 10th in batting average and have the league’s 5th best OPS.

Joe Musgrove gets the start for the Padres today as he faces the Mets at home. He has made 12 starts this year and has a record of 3-4 with an ERA of 4.97. Musgrove’s WHIP for the season is currently 1.40. Looking back at his last outing, Musgrove finished with a no-decision against the Rockies. In that start, he went 4 1/3 innings, giving up one earned run, six hits, and two walks. One of the hits he allowed was a home run. Musgrove has made four appearances on the road, and his ERA is 6.61 in those outings.

Heading into today’s game, the Padres are the top-hitting team in the league, with a team batting average of .265. They are also the league’s top home run hitting team and are averaging 4.8 runs per game. San Diego has been even better on the road this season, averaging 5 runs per contest. The Padres are also the league’s top team in terms of fewest strikeouts per game.

Jurickson Profar and Manny Machado are the Padres’ top power hitters this season, as they are tied for the team lead with 20 homers. Profar’s 77 RBIs are the best mark on the team and 15th in the league. Profar comes into the game on a three-game hitting streak and has gone deep twice over his last nine games. Machado has also gone deep twice over this stretch but is batting just .233.

Mets Eye Playoff Push with Lindor Leading the Charge

As the New York Mets continue their playoff pursuit, shortstop Francisco Lindor remains a cornerstone of the team, showcasing incredible consistency and durability. The Mets face the San Diego Padres in the second game of a four-game series on Friday night, with both teams desperately needing wins as the season winds down.

Lindor’s Unwavering Consistency

Francisco Lindor has been the epitome of reliability for the Mets, playing in all 128 games this season. His commitment to staying healthy and available is nothing short of impressive—over the past three years, he’s missed just three games. Even during last season’s disappointing campaign, Lindor was a constant presence, playing in 160 games, underlining his dedication to being on the field every day.

Lindor’s offseason training is meticulously designed to keep him in top shape throughout the grueling season. And it’s paid off—he’s having a solid year, with 25 home runs, 73 RBIs, and a .268 batting average.

First-year Mets manager Carlos Mendoza has tried to give Lindor some rest, but Lindor’s passion for the game usually wins out. His presence is crucial for the Mets, who are just 1.5 games out of the National League’s final wild-card spot. Mendoza acknowledges how vital Lindor is, especially given his meticulous approach to staying in peak condition.

Mets’ Playoff Pursuit

The Mets are deep in the playoff race, and every game matters as they chase a wild-card berth. Lindor’s leadership and consistent performance will be essential as the team pushes toward the postseason. In Thursday’s series opener, Lindor went 2-for-4 with two runs, helping the Mets secure an 8-3 victory over the Padres.

Pitching Matchup: Blackburn vs. Musgrove

Friday’s game will feature a pitching duel between two right-handers: Paul Blackburn for the Mets and Joe Musgrove for the Padres.

Paul Blackburn (5-3, 4.19 ERA) has been a solid addition since joining the Mets in a trade-deadline deal from the Oakland A’s. In his four starts with New York, Blackburn has posted a 3.68 ERA, including a strong outing last Sunday against the Miami Marlins, where he allowed just one run over six innings. Blackburn’s steadiness will be key as the Mets look to build on their recent win.

Joe Musgrove (3-4, 4.97 ERA) will take the mound for the Padres. Musgrove is still shaking off the rust after a 2.5-month stint on the injured list. In his two starts since returning, he’s shown promise, giving up only one run over 8 2/3 innings. However, Musgrove has had a rough history against the Mets, with a 2-5 record and a 4.84 ERA in seven career outings. He’ll need to overcome those struggles to help the Padres break their two-game losing streak.

Padres’ Playoff Hopes and Tatis’ Progress

The Padres are dealing with their first losing streak since the All-Star break and are eager to get back on track. The potential return of star right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. offers a glimmer of hope. Tatis, who’s been out for two months with a stress reaction in his right thigh bone, has recently started running sprints and playing long toss, showing progress in his recovery. Before his injury, Tatis was hitting .279 with 14 home runs and 36 RBIs.

Series Outlook

With both teams fighting for a playoff spot, this series is packed with drama. The Mets, led by the ever-consistent Francisco Lindor, are determined to keep their postseason hopes alive. Paul Blackburn’s recent strong form on the mound gives them a solid chance to extend their winning streak.

For the Padres, Joe Musgrove’s return is critical as they try to snap their losing streak and stay in the playoff hunt. The potential return of Fernando Tatis Jr. adds even more intrigue as San Diego looks to regain momentum in the season’s final stretch.

As these two teams clash, the stakes are sky-high, with both New York and San Diego battling for a spot in the postseason. The outcome of this series could play a major role in shaping the National League playoff picture.

As the Mets travel to San Diego to take on the Padres, we are leaning towards the Mets to come out on top. We also have this as the 5th highest-scoring game of the day and are leaning towards the over. The Padres have the 6th best team strikeout projection, but we still have Paul Blackburn as the 2nd worst starting pitcher in terms of strikeouts.