As the New York Mets (71-64) prepare to face the Chicago White Sox (31-105) on Sunday afternoon, they aim to secure their second consecutive series win. This exciting matchup takes place at Guaranteed Rate Field, starting at 2:10 PM ET. The Mets will send Sean Manaea, boasting a 10-5 record and a 3.51 ERA, to the mound, while the White Sox will counter with Garrett Crochet, who has a 6-9 record and a 3.64 ERA.
Historically, New York has performed well against Chicago, winning seven of their last ten encounters.
**This preview was written before Saturday’s game was played.**
For accurate MLB predictions, the analysis is top-tier.
Mets Focused on Wildcard Aspirations
The Mets recently bounced back from a split series with the Padres to gain momentum with a series win against the Diamondbacks. Currently sitting fourth in the NL Wildcard race, they are just three games behind the Atlanta Braves and are determined to close that gap with a victory on Sunday.
New York’s offense is averaging 4.08 runs per game, placing them 12th in the league with a .249 batting average. Their on-base percentage of .320 ranks 10th, while their slugging percentage of .420 is positioned at ninth. Leading the offensive charge for the Mets is Francisco Lindor, who boasts a .269 batting average and 79 RBIs. Additionally, Pete Alonso has made a significant impact with his 29 home runs.
Defensively, the Mets have maintained solid pitching, allowing only 4.08 runs per game. They rank fifth in the league with a .234 opponent batting average. The team’s ERA stands at 4.11, placing them 11th overall. Manaea’s recent performance was commendable, as he allowed four hits and three runs over 6.2 innings, contributing to an 8-3 victory against Arizona. Another strong outing will be essential for the Mets to secure a win.
White Sox Seeking to Break Losing Streak
In stark contrast, the White Sox are struggling significantly, especially at home, where they have lost 13 of their past 14 games. With the season nearing its end and the team on track to record the worst league record, they aim to finish strong and potentially spoil the playoff hopes for teams like the Mets.
Chicago’s offensive production has been dismal, averaging just 3.07 runs per game. Their .220 batting average places them 29th in the league, while their on-base percentage and slugging percentage are both at the bottom, ranking 30th with figures of .277 and .341, respectively. Gavin Sheets leads the White Sox with a .240 batting average, while Andrew Vaughn provides some power with 15 home runs and 59 RBIs.
The pitching staff has also struggled, giving up 4.73 runs per game, which ranks them among the worst teams in the league. Opponents are hitting .257 against them, landing them at 26th overall. Crochet’s recent outing saw him allow four hits and two runs over four innings, contributing to a 6-2 win against San Francisco. Improved performance will be critical for him to avoid further losses.
Predictions for Mets vs. White Sox
The Mets have shown resilience on the road, winning four of their last six games, while the White Sox are enduring a ten-game home losing streak. Offensively, New York has outperformed Chicago significantly, scoring 21 runs in their last four games compared to the White Sox’s mere six runs over the same period. Given the Mets’ strong performance against left-handed pitchers and Crochet’s recent struggles—allowing 10 runs in his last three outings—the Mets are expected to continue their offensive success.
Defensively, Manaea has been effective, particularly on the road, where he has allowed only six runs across his last three starts. With a 2-0 record against the White Sox, giving up only two runs total in those games, he is likely to maintain control over their offense. Thus, New York is favored to cover the run line in this matchup.
