The New York Mets (34-39) and the Houston Astros (40-34) conclude a 3-game interleague series at Minute Maid Park Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. ET. 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: tied 1-1
The Astros doubled up the Mets 4-2 Tuesday, cashing as a -130 favorite against old friend RHP Justin Verlander. It was a nice bounce-back game after the Mets pounded the Astros 11-1 in the series opener Monday.
Houston snapped a 5-game losing skid with the win Tuesday, and it avoided its longest losing streak since June 2021. The Astros are still experiencing a bit of a power outage lately, however, averaging just 2.8 runs per game across the past 6 outings.
New York has dropped 3 of the past 4 games. The 2-run output on Tuesday was surprising, as the offense had been rolling along, scoring 3 or more runs in 12 of the past 14 contests.
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Mets at Astros projected starters
RHP Tylor Megill vs. RHP Cristian Javier
Megill (6-4, 4.83 ERA) makes his 15th start. He has a 1.61 WHIP, 4.6 BB/9 and 7.3 K/9 through 69 IP.
- Last start: Win, 6 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 7 K in a 6-1 home win vs. the St. Louis Cardinals Friday
- 2023 road splits: 2-3, 7.42 ERA (30 1/3 IP, 25 ER – 6 HR) with a .341 opponent batting average (OBA) in 7 starts
Javier (7-1, 2.90 ERA) makes his 15th start. He has a 1.04 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9 and 8.5 K/9 in 80 2/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 0 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 2 K in a 4-1 home loss in 10 innings vs. the Washington Nationals Thursday
- 2023 home splits: 4-1, 2.27 ERA (39 2/3 IP, 10 ER) with a .240 OBA in 7 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 7 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Mets +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Astros -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Mets +1.5 (-155) | Astros -1.5 (+125)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
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Mets at Astros picks and predictions
Prediction
Astros 6, Mets 2
Moneyline
The ASTROS (-155) are worth a look in the series finale, especially behind Javier. He has been money at home, winning 4 of his 5 decisions at Minute Maid Park.
Houston has cashed in 47 of the past 65 tries in Game 3 of a series, and it is now 10-4 in the past 14 games against the NL East.
New York has dropped 5 of the past 7 interleague games and is 2-5 in the past 7 on the road against right-handed starting pitchers too.
Run line/Against the spread
The ASTROS -1.5 (+125) are a strong play on the run line, mainly based on the pitching matchup.
As mentioned, Javier has been money at home, while Megill has been rather erratic on the road. That will be the difference, as it’s hard to imagine the Mets right-hander quieting the bats of the Astros.
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Over/Under
The UNDER 8.5 (+100) is the play in Game 3 of this series.
The Under has cashed at a 9-4-1 clip for the Mets in the past 14 tries against a right-handed starting pitcher while going 3-1-1 in the past 5 interleague road games against winning teams.
The Under is 4-1 in the past 5 games for Houston following a win, while going 12-5-1 in the past 18 in Game 3 of a series.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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