Philadelphia Phillies vs New York Mets Predictions, Odds & Picks

• The best in the game goes to work

• Phillies trying to get back to winning ways

• Early statement game for the NL East

Philadelphia Phillies vs New York Mets Odds

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Philadelphia Phillies vs New York Mets Predictions and Picks

Neither team is exactly tearing it up offensively right now, so that makes us turn our attention to the pitching matchup. The Mets have a clear advantage in that category and have played well at home through their first five contests. If they can get their offense going, they could pull away in this one.

Pick:

Mets against the spread 1.5 (-105)

Garcia’s 2021 record: (9-3)

How to Watch Philadelphia Phillies vs New York Mets

Jacob Degrom Goes For the Sweep

There are about 10 different pitchers on the list of the best in the game. But if you’re looking for the very best, Jacob DeGrom is undeniably in the top three of that discussion.

DeGrom has won two of the last three Cy Young awards and finished in the top three in voting each season. He’s finished top 10 in the award’s voting five times and has a Rookie of the Year award to his name. The point being, he’s been dominant since he stepped foot in the big leagues and that’s continued this season.

DeGrom has what might be the most misleading 0-1 record in the history of baseball. He picked up the no-decision in his first start of the year when he threw six innings of shutout baseball, giving up three hits, two walks, and striking out seven.

Then, in his last start, he somehow got tagged for the loss despite giving up just one run in eight innings while striking out 14 batters. He throws 100 mph and has one of the game’s best wipeout breaking balls. The goal if you’re the Phillies is to somehow get DeGrom out of the game in six innings and keep the game within range.

Phillies Trying to Get Their Mojo Back

The season couldn’t have started better for the Phillies. Playing in what many consider the best division in baseball and opening the year against a team that was one game away from the World Series last season, Philadelphia swept the rival Atlanta Braves out of town. They did so with dominant pitching, giving up just three total runs in the entire series. They then beat the Mets 5-3 and through four games were given gup an average of just 1.5 runs per contest.

Since then, the pitching has gone sideways. The Phillies have held their opponents to three runs or fewer just twice in the past eight games, going 2-6 in the process.

Now, they turn to Zach Eflin, who has steadily improved throughout his career since 2016. Eflin has a 3.46 ERA through two starts, going six innings or further in each with 10 total strikeouts and just two walks.

But no matter who is on the mound, the Phillies have to do something with their bats. They’ve scored just one run in the past 18 innings. This lineup is way too talented to stay quiet, but then again they’re going up against arguably the toughest pitcher in the game. Look for Bryce Harper or Didi Gregorious — one of the lefties — to lead the way if the offense does get going.

Early Season National League East Statement

These teams are without a doubt sick of seeing each other. The Mets will have played nine games after Thursday and seven of them have come against the Phillies.

The two sides will meet just one time over the next 10 weeks and this is a final chance to make an early statement on the race for the NL East crown. The Braves are widely picked as the favorite, but many like the Mets after the offseason additions they’ve made headlined by Francisco Lindor and Marcus Stroman.

Somehow, that leaves the Phillies — who without question have one of the top ten most talented teams in the league. All of that is not to mention the Washington Nationals who won the 2019 World Series and the Miami Marlins who made the NLDS last season.

That’s why it’s so important for the Phillies to avoid the early season sweep.

A few people to watch: for the Mets it’s Brandon Nimmo. The centerfielder has started off the season on an absolute heater, going 12-of-27, and has multiple hits in four of his past six games.

For the Phillies, let’s see if Rhys Hoskins can get going. The power-hitting first baseman is just 2-for-21 in his past six games with nine strikeouts but is capable of getting hot in the blink of an eye.