The Arizona Diamondbacks are the MLB favorites when they close a three-game set versus the New York Mets at Chase Field tonight at 9:40 PM (ET). These are the odds for fans who bet on baseball:
Mets +1½ (-190) 10 (-115) +104
Diamondbacks -1½ (+165) 10 (-105) -114
The Mets defeated the D-Backs 7-5 yesterday to tie the series one game apiece. Mets starter Noah ‘Thor’ Syndergaard gave up four runs – two unearned – on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings, struck out eight batters, and walked two. Not only did the right-handed pitcher pick up his first win since July 3rd, but hit a two-run home run to help his team best the Diamondbacks for the first time in five games this year. Additionally, Mets closer Jeurys became the first closer in the league to reach 40 saves. Arizona fought the good fight; Jean Segura had three hits, Yasmany Tomas scored a homer, and recently-promoted Mitch Haniger drove in three runs. Nonetheless, rookie starter Braden Shipley lost for the first time since July 25th after surrendering seven runs – six earned – on 10 hits in 5+ innings. The Mets are now three games behind the Cards in the second NL Wild Card spot race.
Tonight, Jonathon Niese (8-6, 5.20 ERA) will get an opportunity to show MLB betting fans what he can do. Niese will make his first start for the Mets after being traded from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Antonio Bastardo (bilingual bonus!). The leftie went 8-6 with a 4.91 ERA in 23 appearances with the Pirates. Since joining the New York outfit, Niese has made four relief appearances. This is not Niese’s first stint with the Mets, though; last season, before being traded to Pittsburgh, he went 9-10 with a 4.16 ERA in 29 starts. Arizona center fielder Michael Bourn is 9-for-25 with a double and an RBI in his career against Jon Niese.
On the other hand, Zack Godley (3-2, 5.24 ERA) will start for the D-Backs for the first time since returning to the starting rotation. The right-hander will be making his first career start against the Mets after throwing a scoreless inning of relief versus the NY team on August 11th. Godly has a 5.61 ERA in six starts this season. Arizona won the first game of this particular series 10-6, and desperately needs a win to help them get out of the bottom of the National League West, where they are 17.5 games behind leaders Los Angeles Dodgers (and 14 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals in the Wild Card race). The Mets, as mentioned above, have better MLB betting chances, being third in the National League East, 10.5 games behind the Washington Nationals. Moreover, the Mets have a 5-8 record in August, while the D-Backs have gone 5-7 so far this month. Following tonight’s game the NY outfit will continue their road trip with visits to the Giants and Cardinals. Arizona will go on the road for a four-game set versus the Padres.
