MLB Betting: Phils, Mets Spar For NL East Lead
The early-season lead in the National League East will be on the table Tuesday night as the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets continue their series in New York.
In Game 2 of their series Tuesday, Philadelphia is scheduled to start Zach Eflin (2-2, 3.68), while the Mets will give the ball to Zack Wheeler (1-2, 6.35).
Eflin is coming off a loss against the Colorado Rockies in which he allowed three runs on seven hits in six innings. Philadelphia lost 6-2 as a +109 underdog at Bovada Sportsbook. In seven career starts against the Mets, Eflin is 2-3 with a 5.25 ERA.
Wheeler faced the Phillies in his last start and took the loss, giving up three runs on five hits in seven innings. The Mets lost 3-2 as a +105 underdog. Wheeler is 4-2 with a 3.41 ERA in 11 career starts against Philadelphia.
Last week the Phillies took two of three from the Mets at home. In New York, the Phillies struggled last season, as they are 3-7 in their last 10 at Citi Field.
Brewers 9-2 in last 11 against Cardinals
Sticking in the NL on Tuesday night, Central Division rivals meet up when the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals continue their series.
The pitching matchup will be Zach Davies (2-0, 1.19) for the Brewers and Michael Wacha (1-0, 4.64) for the Cardinals.
Davies tossed five shutout innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers in his last start but had to settle for a no-decision in a 3-1 Brewers loss. In eight career starts against the Cardinals, Davies is 2-2 with a 4.72 ERA.
Wacha posted a win over Milwaukee in his last start, allowing only two runs on five hits with seven strikeouts in six innings. St. Louis won 6-3 as a +115 underdog. Including that win, Wacha is 6-0 with a 3.84 ERA in 13 career starts against Milwaukee.
Milwaukee took two of three from the Cardinals at home last week. That continues the Brewers’ recent success against the Cards as they are 9-2 in their last 11 matchups. In St. Louis, the Brewers have won four straight and they’re 6-3 in their last nine.
Maeda, Quintana coming off strong outings
Also on tap Tuesday night, the Dodgers open up a three-game set with the Chicago Cubs.
Tuesday’s pitching matchup is Kenta Maeda (3-1, 3.80) for the Dodgers and Jose Quintana (2-1, 3.43) for the Cubs.
Maeda was solid in his last start against the Cincinnati Reds, allowing one run on four hits in 6.2 innings in a 6-2 win as a -165 favorite. In two career starts against the Cubs, he is 1-0 with a 2.53 ERA.
Quintana pitched seven shutout innings against the Miami Marlins last time out in a 4-0 Cubs win as -131 favorites. Quintana is 0-1 in three starts against the Dodgers despite a 1.40 ERA.