The New York Mets (33-38) and the Houston Astros (39-33) kick off a 3-game interleague series at Minute Maid Park in Houston on Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Mets vs. Astros odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Astros won season series 4-0 in 2022
The Mets were on the losing side of 2 of 3 games at home against the St. Louis Cardinals over the weekend, including an 8-7 defeat Sunday. New York is currently 5 games under .500 and in the midst of an ugly 3-11 skid since June 2.
The Astros were swept in a 3-game set at home against the suddenly hot Cincinnati Reds. Houston has dropped 4 straight overall and has been toppled in 9 of 12 games since June 6.
New York has scratched out a 9-8 record so far in interleague play this season, while Houston is 13-11 against NL teams.
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Mets at Astros projected starters
RHP Max Scherzer vs. RHP Hunter Brown
Scherzer (5-2, 4.45 ERA) makes his 12th start. He has a 1.24 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 9.5 K/9 over 56 2/3 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 3 1/3 IP, 6 ER, 7 H (2 HR), 0 BB, 2 K in a 7-6 home loss vs. the New York Yankees Tuesday
- 2023 road splits: 3-2, 5.35 ERA (35 1/3 IP, 21 ER – 8 HR) with a .282 opponent batting average (OBA) in 7 starts
Brown (6-3, 3.35 ERA) makes his 14th start. He has a 1.20 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 9.9 K/9 across 75 1/3 IP.
- Last start: Win, 7 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 4 K in a 6-1 home win vs. the Washington Nationals Tuesday
- 2023 home splits: 2-2, 3.21 ERA (33 2/3 IP, 12 ER – 0 HR) with a .246 OBA in 6 starts
Mets at Astros odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated 8:24 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Mets +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Astros -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Mets +1.5 (-200) | Astros -1.5 (+165)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Mets at Astros picks and predictions
Prediction
Astros 4, Mets 2
Moneyline
The ASTROS (-125) are reeling after a 3-game sweep at home against the Reds over the weekend in another interleague series. Houston looks to right the ship with Brown, and it is 3-2 in his last 5 starts at Minute Maid Park.
The Mets would be a risky play, even with Scherzer on the bump. He was tuned up by the Yankees last time out, and he has served up 8 HR in just 35 1/3 IP on the road this season.
Houston is the safer option, although I expect both pitchers to fare well in this series opener. For what it’s worth, New York has dropped 8 straight trips to Houston and is 0-7 in its last 7 games against Houston, including a 4-game sweep last year.
Run line/Against the spread
The ASTROS -1.5 (+165) are worth playing lightly, mainly because Scherzer continues to serve up batting practice on the road.
While Houston is on a 4-game slide, it won 6-1 against the Washington Nationals in Brown’s most recent start, easily covering the run line as a -240 favorite. Expect another run line cover in Game 1 of this interleague tilt.
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Over/Under
Play the UNDER 7.5 (-115), as Brown is tremendous at keeping the ball in the yard, especially at home. It’s hard to believe based on his career, but the concern is Scherzer.
The Under is 4-1-1 in the past 6 games overall for the Mets and is 4-1-1 in their last 6 against right-handed starting pitchers, too.
The Under has connected in 6 of the past 7 for the Astros against the NL East, while going 4-1 in the past 5 against teams with a losing record.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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