The New York Mets (67-61) are aiming for a series victory against the San Diego Padres (72-57) in the third game of their four-game series on Saturday night. This matchup will take place at Petco Park, starting at 8:40 PM ET.
David Peterson, boasting a record of 7-1 and a 3.00 ERA, will take the mound for the Mets. The Padres will respond with Michael King, who holds an 11-6 record and a 3.18 ERA.
New York has a favorable history, going 7-3 in their last ten encounters against San Diego.
**This preview was written before Friday’s game was played**
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Mets’ Quest for a Third Series Win
The Mets have shown strong performances recently, winning their last two series. Currently, they sit fourth in the NL Wildcard standings, trailing Atlanta by 1.5 games. On Saturday, they will aim to narrow the gap and secure their third consecutive series victory.
New York’s offense is averaging 4.80 runs per game. Their batting average of .250 ranks 12th in the league, while their .323 on-base percentage is eighth, and their .421 slugging percentage places them seventh.
Leading the Mets, Francisco Lindor carries a .268 batting average and has driven in 73 runs. Pete Alonso shines with 27 home runs this season.
Despite their offensive strengths, the Mets’ pitching has struggled, allowing 4.11 runs per game. Opponents are hitting .233 against New York, ranking them fifth in the league for opposing batting average. Their 4.13 ERA ranks 19th, and their WHIP of 1.30 is 22nd overall.
In his last outing, Peterson allowed six hits and three runs over seven innings, leading to a narrow 4-3 victory over Baltimore. A similar performance will be crucial for a Mets win on Saturday.
Padres Eyeing the Top NL Wildcard Position
The Padres are looking to rebound after a loss to the Mets in the first game of this series, following a series win against the Twins. Standing third in the NL West, they are 4.5 games behind the Dodgers and just half a game behind the Diamondbacks, who currently occupy the first Wildcard spot. A victory on Saturday could help them leapfrog the Diamondbacks in the Wildcard race.
San Diego’s offense is scoring an average of 4.76 runs per game. Their .265 batting average leads the league, complemented by a .326 on-base percentage (sixth) and a .417 slugging percentage (10th).
Jurickson Profar is having a standout season with a .290 batting average and 77 RBIs, while Manny Machado contributes with 20 home runs.
On the pitching front, the Padres have been solid, allowing just 3.96 runs per game. Opponents are batting .243 against San Diego, placing them 19th, while their 4.02 ERA stands at 15th, and their WHIP of 1.24 ranks 11th.
King’s recent performance was noteworthy, as he allowed four hits and two runs in six innings, leading to a 5-3 win over Minnesota. If he can replicate that success, it will be crucial for the Padres’ chances on Saturday.
Smart Betting Picks for Mets vs. Padres
The Padres have triumphed in seven out of their last nine games at home, while the Mets have struggled, losing three of their last four games on the road. Recently, San Diego’s offense has been impressive, racking up 19 runs in their last four games. Even with Peterson’s solid track record, the Mets may find it challenging to contain the Padres, who have been successful against left-handed pitchers and are facing a pitcher who has allowed 11 runs in his last four starts.
In their last encounter, Peterson surrendered three runs to the Padres, and with New York’s bullpen facing difficulties in recent away games, it may be hard for them to slow down the Padres’ offense. The Mets have only managed nine runs in their last three road games, and their struggles are likely to continue against King, who has been effective in his recent outings, allowing just six runs in his last three starts. He has given up only three runs across his last three home appearances. Therefore, betting on San Diego to cover the money line appears to be a wise choice.
